Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi al-Wahidi was injured after being shot at by Israeli soldiers while reporting in Jabalia, northern Gaza [Hamza ZH Qraiqea/Anadolu Agency]
Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi al-Wahidi, who was hit by an Israeli sniper in the Gaza Strip this month, is in a coma and has not yet been allowed by Israel to leave the enclave for urgent medical treatment.
The Palestinian journalist was shot in the neck as he reported on the Israeli ground invasion of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, while wearing protective gear that clearly identified him as a member of the press.
Despite appeals from three media freedom organisations, the Israeli authorities have not allowed al-Wahidi and fellow Al Jazeera cameraman Ali al-Attar to leave Gaza for “lifesaving medical treatment”.
Al Jazeera Arabic on Thursday reported that al-Wahidi’s condition had deteriorated since he was taken to hospital on October 9.
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 transferred abroad as resources on-site were insufficient to treat his injuries.
The attack on al-Wahidi came days after al-Attar was shot while covering the conditions of displaced Palestinians in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
A scan showed shrapnel lodged in his skull and bleeding in the brain, but no treatment has been available in Gaza for this injury. Source: Al Jazeera
