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December 27, 2024 – Palestine/Israel –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in partnership with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), has confirmed that at least 170 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war in October 2023. This figure, updated in early June 2025, marks Gaza as the most lethal conflict zone for journalists in modern history. The deaths have occurred under a range of circumstances—some while journalists were actively reporting, others while they sought refuge with their families. According to the IFJ, many of these killings appear to be targeted attacks, prompting urgent calls for international investigations into potential violations of press protections under international law.
Beyond the fatalities, scores of other journalists have been injured, displaced, detained, or remain unaccounted for. The war has decimated Gaza’s media infrastructure, leaving many newsrooms in ruins and severely disrupting communication. As a result, independent reporting from inside the besieged enclave has become increasingly difficult, isolating Gaza’s population from the global public and stifling the flow of vital information.
In response to these challenges, the IFJ and PJS have launched media solidarity centers inside Gaza to support those journalists who continue to work despite life-threatening conditions. These centers, equipped with internet access and solar energy, offer safe spaces for reporting and collaboration. A second hub has already opened, with a third underway, signaling the urgent need to sustain journalism even under siege.
The IFJ has reiterated its demand for independent investigations into the killings, emphasizing that those responsible must be held accountable. It also calls for international support to ensure the safety and survival of journalists in Gaza, along with resources to help rebuild the region’s media infrastructure. The loss of so many journalists is not only a human tragedy but also a devastating blow to press freedom and the public’s right to information. As the IFJ warns, without decisive global action, Gaza could become a journalistic void—one where truth is silenced and impunity reigns.
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