Award-winning journalist shot and killed in Gaza

An award-winning British journalist has been killed by Israeli fire while filming in the Gaza Strip, it was reported today.

Cameraman James Miller was last night in the volatile town of Rafah, near the Egyptian border, when he was shot in the neck.

He was working on a documentary for the American HBO network about the impact of terrorist action on children.

The journalist was identified by witnesses, colleagues and Israeli media said.

The Israeli army confirmed he was a British national, but was unable to confirm his name.

Israeli army spokesman Captain Jacob Dallal said he believed Miller was hit as his troops fired in defence.

He told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that the army were uncovering tunnels used by Palestinian militants to smuggle in weapons from nearby Egypt.

“Our forces found a tunnel at the house in question, when an anti-tank missile was fired at them. They shot back at the source of the attack,” said Captain Dallal.

“James Miller was apparently hit during that exchange. The Israeli military expresses sorrow at a civilian death, but it must be stressed that a cameraman who knowingly enters a combat zone, especially at night, endangers himself.”

Witnesses said Miller was filming the Israeli army’s house demolitions in Rafah when an Israeli tank opened fire.

A man, also a British journalist who identified himself only as Dan, said that Miller and two colleagues were simultaneously filming and waving a white flag as they walked toward the tank.

A spokeswoman for HBO said they hadn’t had any official confirmation of Miller’s death.

She said: “He was a film maker who was working for us in Gaza. It’s devastating news.”

He was taken away from the scene in an Israeli armoured vehicle, but died before he could be evacuated by helicopter, Captain Dallal said.

A British Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a British journalist has been shot. We are in touch with the Israeli authorities and we are in the process of getting in touch with next of kin.”

Miller was internationally respected for his documentary work. It included Beneath the Veil, about life under the Taliban, which won Royal Television Society awards, and Innocents Lost for Channel Four, an Emmy-winning investigation into human rights abuses against children throughout the world.

He was the third foreigner to be injured or killed in Rafah in recent weeks.

On April 11, British peace activist Tom Hurndall, 21, was shot in the head at the Rafah refugee camp. He is in a coma. Witnesses said Mr Hurndall was shot by an Israeli soldier in a military watchtower as he stooped to pick up a Palestinian girl and carry her to safety. The army said it is investigating the shooting.

American Rachel Corrie, 23, died on March 16 in Rafah when an Israeli bulldozer she was trying to block ran her over. The army said the bulldozer operator did not see her.