Doha, Qatar: Al Jazeera's Bureau Chief in Palestine Walid Omary (pictured) emphasised the critical importance of the International Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts. The two-day conference is being held in Doha and concludes today.

Speaking to The Peninsula, he said the event provides an opportunity to address the ongoing killings of journalists, but added that its impact must extend globally to influence public opinion and the actions of human rights, humanitarian, and journalistic organisations.

Omary highlighted the alarming situation in Gaza and the West Bank, where journalists face extreme risks.“There has been a serious escalation against journalists,” he said, noting that 256 journalists and over 700 family members have been killed by Israeli occupation forces.

He stressed the importance of documenting these crimes and reporting them to influential international bodies to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

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“The key question is how we can protect these journalists, whose only crime is fulfilling their professional duty of conveying the truth to the world,” Omary said. He criticised international institutions, including UN agencies and political systems, for failing to adequately protect journalists.

Omary also described the unbearable suffering of journalists in both Gaza and the West Bank.“The challenges are not limited to Gaza - journalists in the West Bank are also targeted by militias and settler groups,” he said.

He pointed out that despite taking all possible safety precautions, journalists continue to face direct threats, and impunity for perpetrators only encourages further attacks.

He called on international organisations, human rights bodies, and media unions to take concrete steps.“Those committing these crimes must be held accountable. Impunity cannot continue, and the world must recognise the injustice in Gaza,” Omary said.

He stressed the urgent need for solidarity with journalists and their families, noting that continued inaction deepens the fear and suffering of the survivors and hampers their ability to carry out their work.

Omary said that strong international action is necessary to ensure justice for journalists in Gaza and across Palestine. He warned that without accountability, the targeting of journalists will continue, further threatening press freedom and the public's right to know.

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