The Al-Jalaa press building in Gaza was destroyed in an Israeli air attack on Saturday (May 15).

The building housed the offices of several media organizations, including Associated Press and Al Jazeera. It has been reported there were also residential apartments there.

The Israeli military called with warnings to evacuate about an hour before bombing it and all AP staff evacuated in time.

Ground and air forces have been attacking targets in Gaza in the worst bout of fighting between the neighbors for seven years. The Israeli military says it is targeting militant sites, but local residents say it is often hitting civilian buildings.

In a statement, AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said: “We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza. They have long known the location of our bureau and knew journalists were there. We received a warning that the building would be hit. We are seeking information from the Israeli government and are engaged with the U.S. State Department to try to learn more.”

“This is an incredibly disturbing development. We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life. A dozen AP journalists and freelancers were inside the building and thankfully we were able to evacuate them in time. The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today,” he added.

The Al-Jalaa press building in Gaza was destroyed in an Israeli air attack on Saturday 15 May.

The building housed the offices of several media organisations, including Associated Press and Al Jazeera. It has been reported there were also residential apartments there.

The Israeli military called with warnings to evacuate about an hour before bombing it and all AP staff evacuated in time.

Ground and air forces have been attacking targets in Gaza in the worst bout of fighting between the neighbours for seven years. The Israeli military says it is targeting militant sites, but local residents say it is often hitting civilian buildings.

In a statement, AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said: “We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza. They have long known the location of our bureau and knew journalists were there. We received a warning that the building would be hit. We are seeking information from the Israeli government and are engaged with the U.S. State Department to try to learn more.”

“This is an incredibly disturbing development. We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life. A dozen AP journalists and freelancers were inside the building and thankfully we were able to evacuate them in time. The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today,” he added.