Democratic Senators Urge Rubio to Demand Israel Protect Journalists in Gaza

A group of 17 Senate Democrats, led by Senator Brian Schatz and including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders, have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pressure Israel to protect journalists in Gaza and allow international media access. Their letter condemns the killing of Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif and five others in an Israeli drone strike, criticizing Israel's claim that al-Sharif was linked to Hamas as unconvincing and warning that targeting journalists violates international law. More than 190 journalists have been killed since the start of Israel's military offensive in Gaza, marking the deadliest period for journalists on record. The senators assert that the U.S. must oppose Israel's censorship and threats against the press to maintain moral leadership and credibility. Meanwhile, the State Department fired its top press officer for Israeli-Palestinian affairs after disputes over language about U.S. policy on Palestinian displacement in Gaza, signaling a strict adherence to pro-Israel messaging within the department. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated Israel's claims regarding al-Sharif's connections to Hamas, reflecting ongoing tensions between U.S. officials and Democratic lawmakers over the handling of the conflict and press freedom issues.