Over 220 journalists covering the conflict had been killed by Israeli forces at the time of Mutair's death, more than in any other modern conflict.[1][2] Israeli forces agreed upon a ceasefire with Hamas on October 10.[1] Palestinian Journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was killed in clashes in Gaza City on October 12; Israeli media labeled him a terrorist affiliated with Hamas.[3]
Ahmed Abu Mutair
Mutair was a 37-year-old engineer working for the broadcasting arm of the Palestine Media Company (PMP).[4][5][2] Mutair and other PMP journalists in Gaza City worked in a rented office that included a production facility.[4] Mutair and the PMP regularly provided news and coverage services to local and international news agencies.[4][3] Mutair and the PMP often worked for the German broadcaster ZDF through its office and reporters stationed in Tel Aviv, Israel.[1][2]
Killing
On Sunday, October 19, at nearly 4:30 pm, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the PMP's office in Al-Zawaida, central Gaza.[4][1][5][2] Mutair was killed immediately by the strike, as was Bashar al-Zaanen, the 8-year-old son of another PMP journalist, Mohammed al-Zaanen.[4][1][6][3] PMP cameraman Ismail Jabr was wounded by shrapnel from the attack.[4][3] According to PMP staff, about 25 people were in the offices at the time of the attack.[4]
Images showed the satellite news gathering transmission van of the PMP and other press vehicles damaged or destroyed by the attack.[1][6] Filming equipment and broadcast cables were also destroyed.[6]
Mutair was later mourned at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.[7] Forty-five other Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israeli forces on the same day Mutair was killed.[1][8]
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry described the killing as "shocking".[1] German broadcaster ZDF's editor-in-chief Bettina Schausten expressed condolences for the journalists killed and called their deaths unacceptable.[1] A ZDF correspondent described those killed as colleagues.[9]
The Israeli Army told the German Bild tabloid that Mutair was a Hamas platoon commander.[9] On October 27, ZDF stated that Israel provided information indicating that Mutair was a member of Hamas.[10] ZDF released a statement stating that it had suspended all collaboration with PMP, and that based on a document provided by Israeli, "ZDF assumes that the engineer [Mutair] was a member of the Qassam Brigades."[10]
Later events
Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Munirawi was killed by Israeli forces several days after Mutair.[11]
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