Graphic Warning: This video contains graphic images. The lesson is intended for older students.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Amid some of the heaviest bombings of Gaza in weeks, five Al Jazeera staffers and journalists were killed in what appeared to be a targeted attack by Israel. It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to defend his plan to occupy Gaza’s largest city and an area that Israel has defined as a humanitarian zone for displaced Gazans.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What does Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plan to do with Gaza City?
- Who was Anas al-Sharif, and what was he doing in Gaza?
- How did Israel seek to justify its strike on al-Sharif and his colleagues?
- Why are there so few journalists working in Gaza?
- How many journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- How do you think a lack of journalists reporting in Gaza distorts public understanding of what is happening there?
- If journalists are not reporting from Gaza, how do you think the public can get reliable information about what is happening there?
Media literacy: How did the producers of this story provide a look at what is happening in Gaza? Who do you think they relied on for footage? Who did they speak with?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
As Israel continues to take military control of Gaza, some countries in Europe and elsewhere have begun to move to recognize Palestine as a state. Read the article below and discuss — what would it mean for Palestine to be recognized as a state? Why do you think some countries are offering this recognition now?
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia , August 11, 2025. Prime Minister Albanese says Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at UN general assembly. AAP/Mick Tsikas via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA.
Now watch this News Hour segment, State Department drops criticism of Israel and El Salvador in human rights report.
"The report removes stand-alone sections on women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and discrimination on racial or ethnic lines.
It strengthens criticisms of countries that Trump and his administration have clashed with diplomatically and weakens criticism of some of the administration's allies.
... The Biden administration's last report [on Israel] was more than 100 pages. This is less than a fifth of that. It removes most of or almost all of the criticisms of the Israeli government. "
Why do you think this is such a departure from past reports?
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