Journalists Sameh Al-Aryan (left) and Ramu Rayan, who were killed in the Israeli shelling of Shojayah market. Photo release by IFJ

Two Palestinian journalists were killed in Gaza yesterday, taking the journalistic toll to eight since the Israeli bombardment began a month ago.

According to an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS), the two journalists were killed in the artillery shelling of Shojayah market. A third journalist was seriously injured.

The two who died were Sameh Al-Aryan, 26, of Al-Aqsa TV, and photojournalist Rami Rayan, 25, who worked for the Palestinian Media Network. Photojournalist Hamed Shobaky, of Manara Media, was severely wounded in the same incident.

Ahed Zaqout, 49, a presenter on Palestine TV sport programmes, was killed in his apartment during an attack on the Italian tower in Gaza City.

Jim Boumelha, the IFJ president, said: "We express our anger and condemnation at the killing of these journalists, the latest victims in this ongoing cycle of intimidation, violence and murder against media workers in Palestine.

"We send our heartfelt sympathies to their family and friends and we offer our continued support and solidarity to our colleagues in the PJS and all media workers in Gaza as they continue to suffer through this appalling Israeli barrage.

"Enough is enough: the killing must end now and Israeli must be held accountable for these atrocities."

The IFJ is writing to Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations' secretary-general, to remind the organisation of its international obligation to protect journalists.

Source: IFJ