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January 26, 2025 – Source: Palestine/ Israel –
The war in Gaza has proven especially deadly for journalists, with at least 184 media workers killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023. The vast majority— 166 Palestinians —died in Gaza under conditions press freedom groups call unprecedented. This makes it one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in modern history.
Among the casualties were Hossam Shabat , an Al Jazeera reporter targeted by an Israeli airstrike in March, and Fatima Hassouna , a 25-year-old photographer featured in a Cannes documentary, killed in April with her family. Yahya Sobeih , a freelance journalist, died hours after becoming a father when his home was struck in May. Hassan Aslih , a photo editor, was killed at Nasser Hospital during recovery from earlier injuries. Many of these deaths occurred far from front lines, often at home or in hospitals, fueling accusations of deliberate targeting.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the killings and pressed for international accountability. In a public statement, the IFJ supported the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant applications for Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes, including attacks on journalists. The organization has also criticized Israel’s strict restrictions on foreign press access, including the detention of journalists aboard humanitarian vessels like the *Madleen*.
To support local reporters, the IFJ has established Media Solidarity Centres in Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. These hubs offer gear, emergency funds, and trauma support but operate under extreme constraints. Their International Safety Fund provides direct aid, including medical supplies, batteries, and food.
Global journalist unions from Canada, the U.S., Slovenia, and beyond have expressed solidarity. They’ve called for an end to impunity and demanded protection for media workers. Despite this support, conditions for Gaza’s journalists remain dire, with ongoing violence, communications blackouts, and mass displacement making reporting nearly impossible.
In a war defined by contested narratives and overwhelming civilian suffering, the systematic targeting of Gaza’s journalists threatens not only lives, but also the truth itself.
References –
https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/ifj-in-the-news-0f28f3c000 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68423995
