Death Toll of Journalists in Gaza War Rises to 261

March 10, 2026 – Palestine –

The number of journalists killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in October 2023 has risen to 261, according to figures released by Palestinian officials, underscoring the extreme dangers faced by media workers reporting from the conflict zone.

The latest increase in the toll follows the killing of journalist Amal Mohammed Al-Shamali, who died in an Israeli attack in central Gaza. Al-Shamali worked as a correspondent for Qatar Radio, and her death was confirmed by the Government Media Office in Gaza, which tracks casualties among journalists in the territory.

According to the office, Al-Shamali was killed during heavy shelling targeting tents housing displaced civilians in the al-Sawarka area near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The attack also reportedly killed other civilians and injured several people who had been sheltering in the makeshift encampment after fleeing earlier fighting.

The Government Media Office strongly condemned what it described as the systematic targeting of journalists and media workers during the war. Officials called on international media organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists and the Arab Journalists Union, to condemn the killings and push for accountability.

The office also urged global institutions and governments to take action to protect journalists operating in Gaza and to investigate what it described as repeated attacks against media professionals covering the conflict.

Since the war began, journalists in Gaza have continued reporting despite constant bombardment, limited resources, and severe restrictions on movement. Many reporters have been forced to work while displaced from their homes, often covering events in areas experiencing active military operations.

Press freedom advocates say the Gaza war has become one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in modern history, with media workers frequently operating without protective equipment and with limited access to safe reporting conditions.

In addition to the deaths, Palestinian officials report that hundreds of journalists have been injured since the start of the war. At the same time, numerous media offices, radio stations, and television facilities across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting.

The rising death toll has intensified calls from international media groups for greater protection of journalists in conflict zones and for independent investigations into attacks that result in the deaths of media workers.

Advocates argue that ensuring accountability for such incidents is essential to safeguarding press freedom and preserving journalists’ ability to document the humanitarian and political consequences of armed conflict.

Reference –

Death toll of journalists rises to 261 since start of Gaza war