Press TV station destroyed by IDF in Gaza

[Barack_America]

Source: The London Daily News

The Press TV Gaza bureau has been destroyed by IDF troops in an attack that took place in the last hour 15:38 GMT, despite the GPS co-ordinates being held by the Israeli troops.

No fatalities have been recorded, also attacked is the Arab station Al-Arrabya all located on the western strip of Gaza. There are more Press TV journalists in Gaza covering the events than any other international media station.

Press TV has been one of the few international news networks able to broadcast live feeds of the Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Speaking to Press TV Hamoudi Gharib the Gaza correspondent confirmed that IDF troops targeted the studios of Press TV with repeated attacks.

This would be a clear contravention of international law with the targeting of journalists and civilians.

"No one is safe in Gaza, the UN, civilians or journalists."...

Read more: http://www.thelondondailynews.com/press-station-destroyed-gaza-p-2133.html

---

Edited to add more details from Press TV

Israel targets Press TV station in Gaza
Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:09:17 GMT

Israeli forces have targeted the office of Press TV and the Iranian Arab-language satellite channel al-Alam in the Gaza Strip.

There were two people wounded in the Israeli attack, a Press TV correspondent said Friday, adding that Press TV's sister channel, Al-Alam, which was also based in the building has been affected by the attack.

According to our correspondent Hamoudi Gharib, the building was targeted even though the staff had kept light projectors working on the roof of the building 24 hours a day to mark the building.

The journalists working in the building had been given safety assurances that the building would not be targeted by mistake, after its coordinates were handed to organizations responsible for the journalist safety, including the UN.

The Press TV team said they received no warnings ahead of the Israeli strike, which only targeted journalists and news crew who were in the building...

Link:
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=81373§ionid=351020202

[bunnies]

1. Targeting journalists? Nooooooooo.

Israel would NEVER do such a thing. They LOVE freedom of the press in Israel. Or so I'm told. :eyes:

[Barack_America]

3. It would seem that Israel understands the media war is slipping away.

So it's time to declare war on the media, I guess.

They're getting horrible press, even here in the states. Check this out from CNN today.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/09/zeitoun.gaza.israel/

They've also got the story of the killed UN aide worker up. Israel cannot be happy with the stories coming out of Gaza. So time to shut them down.

[bunnies]

13. Yep. I believe you're correct.

When the M$M starts printing stories like that - you know its bad.

Something I find interesting, too, about the additional info you added. Journalists were assured the station would not be hit BY MISTAKE. hmmm.

[Barack_America]

15. Given the description of "repeated attacks"...

I guess this would also have to be "repeated mistakes"?

I am, however, shocked at how bold Israel has become. Firing on UN convoys during a cease fire and on journalists the day after the UN passed a resolution demanding a cease fire? That's incredible. They truly feel they have nothing to fear from the international community. And with the House set to publicly side with them today, who can blame them?

[Marrah_G]

17. They feel they have a free pass to do whatever they want

They have become what they hate.

[leftchick]

27. apparently they do

As long as the US has their back they are golden. :grr:

[Barack_America]

29. And don't they? All this and only 2, maybe 3, members of Congress will stand up against them?

If this is not worthy of condemnation, then what is? I fear the answer to that question.

[ReadTomPaine]

48. They were correct in that assurance. It was not hit by mistake. n/t

[PatrynXX]

46. Israel needs to hire a new PR leader. At this rate, they'll look like Saddam in no time.

Not sure I'd call them fascists yet. but getting close. Bush let Hamas to get democratically elected. Seems kinda stupid to go to war with someone spreading democracy. And the PM in Iraq could end up being Saddam part two if the Repukes had anything to say about it. That would be totally ironic if Iraq and Iran joined together in peace to denounce Israel. There is nothing to be gained by staying or leaving iraq. So why stay. In the end, we'll have to have another regime change anyway.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Can't have the world see...

what is happening. The only "truth" is the one allowed by the IDF. :mad:

I am getting more disgusted by the day.

[stillcool]

4. no one is safe...

Obviously, there is no such thing as international law.

[Hydra]

6. International law is owned by the superpowers

In this case, us.

Just imagine that- the law is what they say it is.

[balantz]

8. I have stopped using the word "us" when it comes to these acts.

The superpower has little to do with us.

[Hydra]

9. It's our gov't

And we refuse to stop them.

We've been lucky so far- most of the international community doesn't blame us for what Bush did. At some point, though, they're going to quit tolerating our acquiescence to these policies, and we'll end up being the "Good German" pariahs of the world.

[balantz]

12. Many of us who have learned to see through the media propaganda

have tried to stop them. They have all the roadblocks. I agree though, there is a good degree of complacency that comes from being "fat and lazy". That will soon end and then we will ALL be hungry and screaming, but a bit too late.

[AndyTiedye]

35. We CAN'T Stop Them

If we turn out the Democrats, we'll get Republicans who are even worse.

AIPAC is the most unstoppable force there is in American politics.

[Hydra]

38. Exactly

As a cynical libertarian I know said once "You don't go into the system to fight the system."

The solution comes not in votes, but in removal of the current system. A new constitutional convention could do that, but really, there isn't the will.

I think most people either tacitly support what we are doing or simply don't care. That's all the powers that be need.

[AndyTiedye]

55. A Constitutional Convention Would Be Hijacked by Neocons and Fundies!

Our Constitution is a fine document. I wish our government would obey it.
We don't need to re-write the Constitution, we need to stop ignoring it!

If we did have a Constitutional convention now, it would certainly be hijacked
by the fundies and the neocons.

[stillcool]

10. to the victor...

the idea of 'law and order', and 'justice' is not in the realm of reality.

[Hydra]

11. True enough

"Justice" is the enforcement of the will of the powers with the help of the people. Quite a scam they run there.

[ShadesOfGrey]

5. If they have to hide the truth, we can assume the worst. nt

[Barack_America]

7. Updated OP to add further details.

[uppityperson]

14. k&r with sarcastic questions.

:sarcasm:
Were there "secondary explosions"?
How accurate are those bombs?
I bet someone bad could have fired a missile from NEXT to it so why are they splitting hairs?
They should have known better than to be in a war zone, should have left before this happened.
They must have done something wrong or they wouldn't have been targetted
:sarcasm:


So, did I get most of the points right?

[awoke_in_2003]

16. You forgot...

that saying anything against Israeli military action is anti-semitic.

[Barack_America]

18. And also...

I'm not going to believe this until I see it on TV.

Nevermind that the IDF destroyed their satellite to prevent exactly that. I've been looking for further confirmation of this and then I realized, who else is there to confirm it?

[maddezmom]

19. here is a link

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

[Barack_America]

23. Thank you very much for the link.

I posted it below for others who might be interested in learning more.

The story is still just being picked up by the international press.

[maddezmom]

24. You're very welcome

:hi:

[uppityperson]

33. Reuters has it now...

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DAH962484.htm

[Barack_America]

37. Thanks. Just posted that below.

Am I the only one freaked out about Israel attacking Iranian state television?

:scared:

[uppityperson]

21. I thought of that after I posted but am getting tired of editing

trying to get through a day without having that red "I posted too fast and need to edit" thing show up.

Good point though. Thank you.

[awoke_in_2003]

28. I understand...

I don't like to edit either. I have been forcing myself to re-read what I am about to post to try to limit editing.

[U4ikLefty]

65. also forgot...

Hamas was allegedly firing rockets from that location.

[Barack_America]

66. "Hamas COULD have used the building antenna".

That was the OFFICIAL explanation given (posted in my update below).

Can you believe that shit?

:wtf:

So that explains why Israel is killing so many children; they COULD become Hamas fighters, you see. So Israel HAS to exterminate them, in self-defense, of course.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[thewiseguy]

20. But they are arab journalists. So no harm done.

:sarcasm:

[Barack_America]

22. Being discussed on Al Jazeera Live...

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

Thanks to maddezmom for the link!

The journalist just mentioned that Olmert has acknowledged the attack and that he stated perhaps the antenna on the top of the building was the primary target.

ETA: I think I heard that right, but will of course look for further verification.

[uppityperson]

32. The antenna? They meant to only hit the antenna and the building just sort of got hit too?

They meant to only make sure they couldn't broadcast?

Right. If only they'd had an antenna that stuck out from the building further, they wouldn't have hit the building so it is all their fault.

:sarcasm: in case anyone is confused.

Antenna. What?

[McCamy Taylor]

25. This is a bloody atrocity, but even the Dems in Congress are too chicken shit to admit it.

No one gives a damn that people are dying. No one cares at all. These deaths are on the conscience of every god damned person who is not speaking out. Now do people understand why Rev. Wright said "God damn America?" It is because Americans can witness something like this and shrug and go back to watching football. Hell, we have done worse ourselves, why should we care?

[Jefferson23]

26. Don't let the truth out Israeli government, makes it harder to spread your bullshit

excuses to slaughter people. This is a government gone insane, and thanks US for enabling.

[madrchsod]

30. we will do anything about the war crimes committed in gaza

the citizens of gaza will get the crumbs off our table and...


we will still give them billions to restock their war machine after the dust settles.

[mrs_p]

31. are we allowed to talk about this yet

b/c i have A LOT to say...

[uppityperson]

34. Yes, we are talking about it. What do you have to say?

[mrs_p]

39. Well, I have to head out for awhile

and I am by no means an expert on Middle Eastern issues, but...

I cannot believe how these atrocities are being accepted by the US people. You know, it seems as long as they are brown people, it just doesn't matter. Why is Israel allowed to bully and bully the Palestinians? I'm not saying that Hamas is right and Israel has no right to defend themselves. But, Israel has created a ghetto - where people have no access to jobs or even their families across the country. Israel has created a population of marginalized people who are going to look for any answer out of their desperate situation - and that is what groups like Hamas prey upon. How can Israel not see that they have created this problem? And just what is their end plan in all of this - elimination of all Palestinians?

OK :rant:

[Doctor_J]

45. We accepted the atrocities by our own government

So why would this be different?

[ShadesOfGrey]

60. You did? I sure as hell didn't and still don't! nt

[Doctor_J]

62. They've been going on for 6 years and no one's stopped them

So, yeah, I guess you did

[Barack_America]

36. Reuters has picked this up...

Iran TV says Israel strikes its Gaza office, two hurt

09 Jan 2009 18:38:23 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds Press TV saying two wounded, detail)

TEHRAN, Jan 9 (Reuters) - An Iranian state television station said two people were wounded by an Israeli rocket strike on the building housing its office in Gaza on Friday.

"Israeli rocket strikes Gaza media building, wounding two," Press TV said in a breaking news headline, after initially reporting there were no casualties in the incident.

"Israeli forces have targeted Press TV and al-Alam television stations in the Gaza Strip," the English-language satellite station said. Al-Alam is Iran's Arab-language television station.

Equipment including satellite transmission devices installed on the roof was damaged, Press TV said on its website. It did not identify the wounded or say if other media outlets were based in the same building...

More:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DAH962484.htm

The fact that Press TV is the English-speaking arm of Iranian state television gives this event a frightening significance.

[Barack_America]

40. Per Al Jazeera, Turkish and Chinese media agencies were also housed in the building...

In addition to the Iranian media agencies listed above.

Also, the attack seemed to affect mostly the roof and upper floors; the building itself still stands.

No link for this as I just heard it on Al Jazeera streaming live. My apologies.

[Hissyspit]

41. Deliberate. nt

[pjt7]

42. Israel is so out of control

they are bound to kill some Egyptians & Jordinian, soon.

Why are they so blood thirsty?

[Broadslidin]

43. The United Nations will likely stop providing 'Bombing Co-ordinates' to the Israeli government....

:nuke: :hide: :nuke:

[Barack_America]

44. Press TV is Iranian state television.

So let's hope the UN does something to diffuse this situation before it gets out of hand.

[TWiley]

47. Sounds like a page from the Bushtapo's playbook

the shrub committed open warfare on the press for years

[kskiska]

49. There goes Joe the Plumber's new job

[pjt7]

50. Joe the PLumber

will be reporting from Jerusalem.

[Barack_America]

51. Link to video of news report...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a33_1231520078

Other than Reuters, the Western media is still ignoring this incident.

[Barack_America]

52. Stratfor reporting that the Press TV bombing was unintentional...

...according to an unnamed Israeli military official.

"An Israeli rocket strike destroyed the Gaza offices of Iranian news station 2-Iran TV, Press TV reported Jan. 9. According to an Israeli military official, the media building reportedly was not a target, though it may have sustained collateral damage. No casualties were reported but two people reportedly sustained injuries during the incident. According to 2-Iran TV, Israeli forces have targeted Press TV and al-Alam television stations in Gaza. Al-Alam is Iran’s Arab-language television station."

http://www.stratfor.com/sitrep/20090109_israel_gaza_tv_satellite_office_hit_rocket_strikes_2_iran_tv

[slipslidingaway]

53. Thanks for posting K&R n/t

[Barack_America]

54. UPDATE: Israel admits attack...

From Committee to Protect Journalists:

Airstrike hits media building in Gaza

New York, January 9, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Israeli military's bombing today of a Gaza City building that houses the offices of a number of international news organizations.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked the rooftop of Al-Johara Tower, an eight-story building located in Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, which houses more than 20 international news organizations, according to multiple news outlets.

Al-Jazeera reported that at least one journalist was injured while filing a report from the roof of the building. The journalist was not immediately identified. Staff at Al-Shifa Hospital, where the journalist was taken, said the injuries were minor, according to a statement on Web site of the Iranian Arabic-language Al-Alam TV. Satellite transmission equipment on the roof of the building was also damaged in the attack, the Iranian English-language Press TV said on its Web site.

Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, defended the strike in an interview with Al-Jazeera, saying that communications equipment in the building could have been used by Hamas.

More:
http://cpj.org/2009/01/press-under-fire-in-gaza-again.php

(bolding mine)

[ShadesOfGrey]

59. And then there's this...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/10/gaza-israel-reporters-foreign-journalists

"An Israeli official told me they were delighted at a BBC TV correspondent broadcasting from Ashkelon in a flak jacket, reinforcing the impression that the Israeli city is a war zone when there is more chance of being hit by a car than a rocket. The notable exception is al-Jazeera TV, which has a bureau in Gaza City and has been broadcasting live from there."

Don't count on any truthful reports.

[mitchum]

56. What does one expect from a rogue nation?

[real sounding]

57. Enough?

I'm one of life's lurkers. I've been a regular reader of this site since 2004. I didn't register until just before the 2008 election, and then it was only because of the high traffic outages during the debates that shut out the likes of me. America, to me, was born out of the noblest aspirations of man and I loved her. Love her. It's too damned deep to be erased. But for the love of God what is wrong with you people?

I still feel dirty thinking back to 2006 when Condi Rice (and my own Foreign Secretary, Margaret Becket) came out of an emergency conference to announce that then was not the time to call for a halt to the bombing of civilians in Lebanon. The image of her face, devoid of any recognition of the urgency of the situation, the Hell that she was condemning human beings to endure, while the Lebanese Prime Minister stood far away to her right, close to tears, disgusts me to this day. The flow of bombs continued from the US, routed through UK airports, so that Israel could drop them on children, women, UN peace keepers or who ever else was doomed to be regreted as collateral damage in the next news cycle. Lebanon was the last nail in Tony Blair's coffin, because everyone here knew that it was wrong and those who have influence over the comings and goings of British politics (not the People, who had spoken sooner) knew that it was indefensible.

But here we are again. Israel bombing women, children, the UN, the press and any other poor sod who happens to get in their way, safe in the certain knowledge that saying that they were aiming for the terrorists is enough to earn the support of the heirs of Jefferson. Congress has spoken. Congress doesn't give a shit. DU, which I thought was the best of America, joins in by sweeping anything too inconvenient under the carpet of the IP forum.

I'm done.

[okiru109]

58. aren't they allowed to silence their enemies?

didn't they say no journalist allowed not to mention ENEMY journalist?

[Alamuti Lotus]

61. More of the kind of behavior that can be expected

expect the IDF and its loyal army of keyboard crusaders to blame Hamas for bombing the building.

[Blue_Tires]

64. maybe congress would like to re-vote on their resolution now..

eh...who am i kidding??