The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, has vehemently condemned the Saturday attack on the building housing the offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera Network in Gaza by the Israeli defence forces.  

Journalists and media staff working in the building had been evacuated following a warning by the Israeli forces to the owner of the building.

"The targeting of news organisations is completely unacceptable, even during an armed conflict. It represents a gross violation of human rights and internationally agreed norms", IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said. "In particular during times of crisis, the media plays a fundamental role in  offering timely, accurate and fair information about developments on the ground. Israel must  immediately stop such attacks against news organisations."

In a separate attack on May 12 the offices of 12 media houses were destroyed when another multi-storied building in Gaza city was attacked by Israeli forces, The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate told IPI.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday said that Washington had received further information about the Israeli attack on the Gaza tower. But he declined to comment further on it. The Israeli military claims that Hamas used the building for a military intelligence office.

The Associated Press' top editor Sally Buzbee on Sunday said they were yet to see any evidence from Israeli officials to justify the bombing and demanded an independent investigation into the incident.

Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel's bombing of the building housing the media organisations as a possible war crime.