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October 04, 2024 – Palestine/Israel –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) marked one year since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, calling it the deadliest period for journalism in recent history. In 12 months, at least 128 Palestinian journalists were killed, with the total number of journalist fatalities in the region—including Israel, Lebanon, and Syria—reaching 138. The IFJ described the devastation as a “media Nakba,” a term evoking both human tragedy and cultural erasure.
The relentless Israeli bombardment not only took lives but also dismantled Gaza’s media infrastructure. Twenty-one radio stations were destroyed alongside several TV outlets, press offices, and news agencies. Foreign journalists were barred from entering Gaza, leaving local reporters as the only witnesses to the conflict. Working without protection and often while displaced, they continued to document the war from the ground.
In response, the IFJ and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) established two Media Solidarity Centers—first in Khan Yunis, then in Deir al-Balah. These makeshift hubs provided displaced journalists with internet access, power, water, and essential supplies. Over 500 journalists used these centers to continue their work amid airstrikes and resource scarcity.
Global unions and media organizations rallied in support. Canada’s Unifor and Norway’s journalists’ union helped fund the first center. The UK’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) organized vigils and raised funds for protective equipment. Unions from Tunisia, France, Croatia, and Australia also contributed, emphasizing that solidarity, not charity, was the driving force behind their support.
The IFJ launched international appeals to provide journalists with food, laptops, bulletproof vests, and first aid kits. Anthony Bellanger, IFJ’s General Secretary, stressed that Palestinian journalists are Gaza’s only link to the outside world and must be protected. Their sacrifice, he said, is not only for truth but for global accountability.
As the war enters its second year, the IFJ calls for continued support and international pressure to safeguard press freedom in Gaza, where journalism has become both a lifeline and a target.
Reference –
Global solidarity: 12 months standing with Gaza’s journalists – IFJ
