Gaza journalists press IDF to take responsibility for Shana's death
Palestinian, international journalists march in Gaza carrying picture of Reuters cameraman killed by IDF tank shell while working in Strip, demand that army publish results of investigation into his death. IDF: When complete, results will be published
The demonstration, during which journalists laid down their cameras, came on a day when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will unveil a memorial dedicated to journalists killed while reporting on wars around the world.
Journalists demonstrate in Gaza. (Photo: AP)
Reuters Middle East Managing Editor Mark Thompson said: "We are deeply disappointed that the Israeli army has failed to provide an account of the circumstances in which Fadel Shana was killed by a tank shell on April 16, nor any evidence to support its claim that they could not identify him as a journalist.
"Fadel had taken all reasonable precautions while filming that day and the refusal of the Israeli army to work with the media on safety issues since his death has forced us and others to curtail reporting in Gaza."
The IDF responded by saying that its investigation into the incident had not yet been completed, and that its results would be published by the media when drafted.
"We have expressed regret and the army is conducting an investigation. It's a tragedy," said Spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Mark Regev. "There was no identification that he was a journalist. Had it been clear he was a journalist, the shell would not have been fired."
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she would condemn the killing of Shana in a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. She was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
"About the killing, I will certainly condemn that, this is very clear, and say that journalists are always in a very, very difficult situation and therefore we want to see understanding, we want to see also a sensitivity about it," she told reporters.
Later, Livni, who was present at the EU foreign ministers' debate, told a news conference: "I would like ... to express our sorrow for this event. Clearly there is a full investigation by the Israeli army ... I don't have the result of this investigation."
She added: "When we gather results, we hope in the next few days, we can share them with the international community." Livni also stressed: "This was during a military operation in which three Israeli soldiers also were killed."
