Russian TV Office Damaged in Israeli Strike on Gaza

The Gaza-based offices of a Kremlin-funded international Russian TV broadcaster were severely damaged Sunday in an Israeli raid on two buildings housing Palestinian and other media outlets, the station said.

The Israeli army confirmed attacking the Shurouq center in Gaza City in an attempt to interrupt what it said was Hamas "operational communications" from the building.

The raid completely destroyed the offices of Al-Aqsa TV, a Hamas-affiliated television station that the Israeli military accuses of cooperating closely with militants who operate from the Gaza Strip.

An earlier raid on another building struck the offices of Al-Quds TV, another station affiliated to the ruling Islamist Hamas movement.

Russia Today's Gaza correspondent said his office was separated by only a "thin wall" from Al-Aqsa TV's office and was damaged in the attack.

"We were not directly hit," correspondent Saed Swerky said. "The Israelis fired four rockets and destroyed the office of the (Palestinian) channel. Our office was next door and so we could not work any more.

"But I still file reports. This is a war and we have to accept it," Swerky added.

Russia Today had earlier issued an urgent statement reading: "RT's office in Gaza destroyed after Israeli attack."

In a statement, the Israeli military said it aimed at the antennae at the top of the media building "and not the operations room of Hamas that is located on one of the floors."

Swerky said at least four journalists had been wounded in the incident.

Russia Today is a Kremlin-run project that broadcasts in several languages, projecting Moscow's perspective on global affairs.