Three million for a reporter

Israel will pay more than $3 million to the family of British journalist James Miller, who was killed five years ago in the Gaza Strip during the “second intifada” (the Palestinian uprising of 2000-2003). Miller was filming a documentary and died from Israeli fire.

On May 2, 2003, in the Palestinian city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, an Israeli tank platoon was on a mission to discover underground tunnels used to smuggle weapons and explosives. According to the Israel Defense Forces, during the operation, Palestinian militants opened fire on the tankers. After the shootout, Israeli soldiers discovered the wounded Briton Miller, who was provided with first aid on the spot. The journalist was immediately taken by helicopter to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save his life.

Miller's relatives argued that he was killed deliberately as a group of journalists walked with a white flag. According to the Israeli army, the journalist was caught in crossfire provoked by Palestinian militants. The deal became possible after the victim's family reduced their initial demands for compensation, and the United Kingdom authorities gave assurances that the criminal case against the Israeli soldiers would be dropped.

Meanwhile, journalists continue to die in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces has opened an investigation into the April 16 death of Palestinian Reuters cameraman Fadal Shanaa from a direct hit from an Israeli tank.

Dmitry DUBOV, Jerusalem