Palestinian journalist in coma after being shot by Israeli forces in besieged Jabalia

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Palestinian journalist Fadi al-Wahidi, who was hit by an Israeli sniper in the northern Gaza Strip, is in a coma and has not yet been allowed by Israel to leave the war-torn enclave for urgent medical treatment.

Al Jazeera Arabic’s Anas al-Sharif said in a post on X on Thursday: “Al Jazeera cameraman is in a coma after his health deteriorated, with the Israeli occupation preventing his transfer for treatment until now.”

Al-Wahidi was shot in the neck as he reported on the Israeli ground invasion of the Jabalia refugee camp on October 9, while wearing protective gear that clearly identified him as a member of the press.

“Israeli forces shot at the Al Jazeera crew, and the network’s photographer, our beloved colleague Fadi al-Wahidi, was injured by a sniper’s bullet in the neck during our coverage,” al-Sharif said at that time.

“Al-Wahidi was covering the Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Jabalia camp, which has entered its fifth day. The Israeli military has ordered all residents to evacuate the camp, yet continues to target anyone attempting to move,” Al Jazeera said in a statement condemning the attack.

Al Jazeera Arabic on Thursday reported that al-Wahidi’s condition had deteriorated since he was taken to hospital the day he was shot.

Doctors at the Public Aid Hospital in Gaza City said they were unable to treat him and prevent complete paralysis, adding that he suffers from damage to his arteries, veins and shattered bones.

The hospital had repeatedly pleaded for al-Wahidi to be moved abroad as resources on-site were insufficient to treat his injuries.

The attack on al-Wahidi came days after fellow Al Jazeera cameraman Ali al-Attar was shot while covering the conditions of displaced Palestinians in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

The United States-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded that Israeli occupation authorities ensure the safe transfer of al-Wahidi and al-Attar out of Gaza.

“Both evacuation processes have stalled as the necessary authorizations are pending,” it said with other media watchdog groups in a letter to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

“We hold the Israeli government responsible for any deterioration of their conditions caused by this prolonged delay.”

The letter states that COGAT did not respond to its multiple appeals for the evacuation of the journalists.

In addition, CPJ has sought the assistance of the governments of the United States, France, and Germany, as well as the United Nations.

“Despite these endeavors, the possibility of evacuating these journalists is currently blocked due to a lack of Israeli authorization for their safe passage,” it said.

“The lives of these two journalists are at imminent risk, and swift action is required to prevent further tragedy.”

The letter said their “safe passage to Jordan or Qatar must be assured, and they must be allowed access to life-saving medical treatment without further delay.”

Israel’s war on Gaza has been considered the deadliest for journalists and media workers in the world in 30 years.

The International Federation of Journalists said the mortality rate for media workers in Gaza is over 10 percent.

Seventy-five percent of all reporters killed in the world in 2023 were killed between October 7 and the end of last year.

177 media workers have been killed since the start of Israel’s genocide war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.