“Every Journalist in Gaza Knows They Could Be Killed” — A Firsthand Account of Reporting Under Fire

A personal letter published by Mondoweiss reflects on the extreme risks faced by Palestinian journalists working in Gaza, describing journalism in the territory as a daily act of survival under constant threat of airstrikes, surveillance, and targeted killings.

The author recounts the experience of a colleague in Gaza who continued reporting despite knowing that he could be killed at any moment while conducting interviews with local officials and security figures. The colleague reportedly carried out fieldwork involving Hamas-linked civil authorities and police officers, fully aware that such interactions could place him in danger due to ongoing Israeli strikes targeting members of Gaza’s governing structures.

The letter describes how journalists in Gaza operate under conditions where movement, access to information, and even basic safety are severely restricted. It emphasizes that reporters often proceed with assignments despite anticipating that they may not return safely, as airstrikes and drone surveillance create an environment of constant unpredictability.

The piece also situates these risks within a broader pattern of journalist casualties during the war in Gaza, noting that media workers have been killed in large numbers while covering events on the ground. It argues that reporting itself has become a form of exposure, as journalists document humanitarian conditions while facing the same life-threatening risks as civilians.

The author highlights the emotional toll of this work, describing the loss of colleagues over the course of the conflict and the continued determination of surviving journalists to keep reporting despite repeated strikes and warnings. It frames this persistence as both a professional duty and a necessity in the absence of outside media access.

The letter further argues that the targeting of journalists is not incidental but directly linked to efforts to control information emerging from Gaza, limiting the ability of images and testimonies to reach international audiences. It contrasts this with the continued determination of reporters who remain on the ground to document events despite the risks.

Overall, the piece presents journalism in Gaza as an extraordinarily dangerous profession carried out under conditions of siege, where reporters knowingly risk their lives to ensure that events in the territory are witnessed and recorded for the outside world.

Reference –

Palestine Letter: My colleague risked his life to bring you this story