Gaza: An Israeli air strike targeted a Reuters news agency vehicle, wounding two journalists in Gaza City on Saturday, according to doctors and local residents.
The attack knocked a Reuters cameraman unconscious and seriously wounded a Palestinian journalist. The armoured car was labeled as a media vehicle, with signs on all sides, including the roof, according to Reuters news reports.
Michael Lawrence, Reuters Managing Editor for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "We are deeply concerned at this attack on a clearly marked press vehicle as journalists were doing their job to report the story from Gaza.
"We understand that the army says it had no intention of targeting the media, but this incident is totally unacceptable and we urge a careful examination of how this happened to ensure there is no repeat."
The Israeli army said the vehicle was acting suspiciously in an area on combat and was not identified as belonging to the media.
"During the operation, there was an aerial attack on a suspicious vehicle that drove in a suspicious manner right by the forces," army spokeswoman Captain Noa Meir said.
"This car was not identified by the army as a press vehicle," she said. "If journalists were hurt, we regret it."
Sabbah Hmaida, who works for a local news web site, was seriously wounded in the legs, whilst Fadel Shana, a Reuters cameraman was knocked unconscious. Doctors said his condition was not life threatening.
