AP editor demands independent probe into Israeli attack on media building

Sally Buzbee, the Associated Press's top editor, has called for an independent investigation into Israel's attack on a building housing the offices of major international news outlets in Gaza.

An air raid by the Israeli military destroyed a 12-storey tower on Saturday that hosted the bureaus of AP, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye, among others. Israel claimed that the building was being used by Hamas without providing evidence.

"We do not take sides in that conflict. We heard Israelis say they have evidence; we don’t know what that evidence is," Buzbee told CNN on Sunday.

"We think it’s appropriate at this point for there to be an independent look at what happened yesterday - an independent investigation."

Israel had given journalists an hour to evacuate the building. Despite outrage from press freedom advocates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded the attack and tweeted a video of the building being levelled. 

The administration of US President Joe Biden has expressed "concern" for the safety of journalists without denouncing or even criticising the Israeli attack.