Inside AFP
AFP shocked after targeting of media building in Gaza
Agence France-Presse (AFP) Saturday expressed shock at the destruction in an Israeli missile strike of a building in Gaza housing the offices of the Associated Press and Al-Jazeera.
"AFP stands in solidarity with all the media whose offices were destroyed in Gaza," said AFP Chairman Fabrice Fries. "All parties involved in the conflict need to respect the media's freedom to report on events."
"We are profoundly shocked the offices of media organisations would be targeted in this way," said AFP's Global News Director Phil Chetwynd.
The AP said occupants were given an hour warning to evacuate the 13-storey building before it was hit by several missiles. Several local media organisations were also based in the tower.
Israel says the building housed military assets of the intelligence wing of the Islamist Hamas movement which controls Gaza.
