Dramatic video shows the moment Israel blew up a car in Gaza that it says was carrying “a Hamas terrorist operating under the guise of an Al Jazeera journalist.”
Muhammad Washah, who was a correspondent for the outlet in Gaza, was one of two people killed in a targeted strike on the vehicle as it was traveling along the coast on Wednesday, according to officials.
Footage shared by the military captured the moment the car suddenly exploded in a huge ball of flames.
The military alleged Washah was “actively involved in planning attacks against IDF troops” in his role at Hamas’ rocket and weaponry production headquarters.
He was also accused of being involved in the production and transfer of weapons through Gaza.
“The terrorist contributed to building the strength of the Hamas terror organization, operated to carry out terror attacks against IDF forces, and posed a real threat to the troops,” the IDF said in a statement.
“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to reduce harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information.”
The military had long accused Washah of being involved in Hamas’ military wing, something the terror group and Al Jazeera have denied.
Washah was accused of using his role as a journalist to move freely through Gaza to allegedly facilitate the transfer of weaponry and act as a spy to plan attacks on Israeli soldiers.
In February 2024, the IDF had blasted out photos of him operating weapons systems.
The photos were apparently found on a computer that troops had confiscated during a raid in Gaza, the IDF said.
At the time, Hamas and Al Jazeera both denied that Washah had any affiliation with the group.
In the wake of his death, Al Jazeera reported on its Arabic-language TV channel that he had been killed in a drone strike.
“This constitutes a new and flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and reflects a continued systematic policy of targeting journalists and silencing the voice of truth,” the Al Jazeera Media Network said in a statement condemning his killing.
“As Al Jazeera mourns its correspondent Mohammed Wishah, who joined the Network in 2018, it affirms that his killing was not a random act but a deliberate and targeted crime intended to intimidate journalists and prevent them from carrying out their professional duties.”
