203 Palestinian Journalists Killed in Gaza: A Press Corps Under Siege

January 11, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –

Since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, at least 203 Palestinian journalists have been killed, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. This staggering figure represents the deadliest conflict for media professionals in modern history and underscores the increasing dangers faced by local reporters documenting war crimes, humanitarian crises, and military operations on the ground.

The most recent casualty, Sa’ed al-Nabhan, a freelance cameraman, was shot by an Israeli sniper in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp. He was reportedly wearing press identification and attempting to move between buildings when he was fatally struck. His death mirrors a broader pattern in which marked journalists have been targeted by airstrikes, sniper fire, or shelling while reporting from the front lines.

Reports from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and other watchdogs reveal that dozens of journalists have been killed while inside their homes, during field assignments, or while evacuating wounded civilians. Some were killed with their families in Israeli airstrikes that leveled residential buildings. Of the recorded deaths, 52 occurred during air raids, 24 were targeted direct hits, and at least 22 journalists died while actively covering events in the field.

International media and human rights organizations have condemned the killings and called for urgent, independent investigations. They emphasize that the deliberate targeting of journalists violates international humanitarian law, which grants media professionals the same protections as civilians during armed conflict. Despite this, journalists in Gaza continue to be systematically endangered.

Many of those killed were freelance or local reporters filling the void left by foreign correspondents, who had limited access to the territory. Working without protective gear, insurance, or institutional support, these journalists bore the brunt of frontline reporting.

The killing of 203 journalists not only represents a tragic loss of life but also a grave attack on press freedom. It silences crucial voices, conceals atrocities, and deprives the world of independent, firsthand documentation. The international community faces growing pressure to ensure accountability and uphold the rights and protections of journalists working in conflict zones.

Reference –

203 Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Assaults Since Start of Gaza Genocide

203 Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Assaults Since Start of Gaza Genocide| Countercurrents