News Agencies Flee Rubble, Suspect Fog

Michael Hedges May 17, 2021 - Follow on Twitter

Armed conflict is meant to be daunting for participants, frightening for those caught in the middle. Military historians have long noted the confusion, “the fog.” News reporters in these conflict zones are tasked with detailing what is and what is not, lifting, somewhat, the fog. In the post-modern age, combatants apply the weapon of fog with missiles, bombs and tanks.

The Israeli military, one of the world’s most formidable, has been pounding impoverished Palestinian Gaza for a week. Militant, nationalist Palestinian Hamas Movement, which has controlled the territory for about fifteen years, has responded firing hundreds of missiles. The two groups have a history of going to war. They’re at it again.

On Saturday (May 15), the al-Jalaa Tower in Gaza City was “flattened” in a missile strike by the Israeli Air Force, reported Times of Israel (May 15) and other news organizations. The building housed news agencies Associated Press (AP), Al Jazeera, London-based Middle East Eye, media technical services supplier Mayadeen, Doha Media Center and a radio station as well as more than 50 residential apartments and medical offices. Occupants were given less than a hour warning to exit.

True to form, reporters broadcast the destruction live. The video has gone viral. Also broadcast live was building owner Jawad Medhi begging an Israeli military officer for ten minutes more to allow AP and Al Jazeera staff to retrieve equipment and files. The request was denied. Three “heavy” missiles struck within five minutes. The building was being used by Hamas military intelligence, said an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) statement, widely quoted.

"We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza," said AP chief executive Gary Pruitt in a statement, quoted by Reuters (May 16). "The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today.” Mr. Pruitt later spoke directly with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who “offered unwavering support for independent journalists and media organizations around the world,” said a spokesperson.

Mr. Pruitt also cast doubt on the IDF claim. "AP's bureau has been in this building for 15 years. We have had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building. This is something we actively check to the best of our ability. We would never knowingly put our journalists at risk. We have called on the Israeli government to put forward the evidence.”

"This bombing is yet another attempt by Israel to dominate the narrative by excluding factual reporting of their air strikes on Gaza,” said a statement from Middle East Eye (May 15). “There is now mounting evidence that civilian towers with no military usage or record of involvement are being targeted by the Israeli air force. Bombing the offices of journalists providing eye-witness accounts of what is happening on the ground is not an act of self-defence.”

“The aim of this heinous crime is to silence the media and to hide the untold carnage and suffering of the people of Gaza,” said Al Jazeera Media Network acting general director Mostefa Souag. Al Jazeera is based in Doha, Qatar, receives partial funding from the Qatari government and is well-regarded by colleagues in the region. Qatari and Egyptian governments are involved in cease-fire negotiations in the current conflict.

Earlier in the week, the New York Times (May 16) revealed that IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus “misled” reporters covering the conflict by saying, just after midnight Friday (May 15), an infantry incursion was underway. He later retracted the statement, claiming it was a mistake. The Wall Street Journal (May 16) reported the initial claim and the retraction. "It was a manipulation,” said Israeli Channel 13 TV military correspondent Or Heller, quoted by Le Monde (May 15) . “It was smart and it was successful."

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• Hot Topics - Disinformation

• Hot Topics - News Media

• Hot Topics - News Agencies

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• Hot Topics - Media in Israel