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April 7, 2025
April 07, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has issued a sharp condemnation of what it calls Israel’s “deliberate targeting” of journalists in Gaza. In recent statements, the ministry accused Israel of systematically attacking members of the press in an attempt to obscure what it describes as a “war of annihilation” against Palestinians.
The Ministry highlighted that the unprecedented death toll among journalists in Gaza, now exceeding 200, cannot be seen as collateral damage. Instead, it argued that these killings form part of a broader strategy to suppress media coverage of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory. The statements came following Israeli airstrikes that hit marked press tents and locations known to be occupied by media personnel, including near hospitals and refugee camps.
According to the ministry, the targeting of journalists serves two main purposes: eliminating witnesses and obstructing the global dissemination of information. With the communications infrastructure already damaged and foreign reporters largely barred from entering the strip, local journalists have been among the few able to document the destruction and civilian casualties caused by months of ongoing Israeli military operations.
The ministry further warned that these attacks represent serious violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions, which provide protections for civilians and journalists in conflict zones. It called on the international community, particularly the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to intervene and hold Israel accountable for what it described as crimes against humanity and attempts to commit genocide through enforced media silence.
Additionally, the Palestinian government criticized the global silence and double standards surrounding the killing of Palestinian journalists, urging greater international action to prevent further loss of life and to protect freedom of the press.
The ministry concluded by reaffirming its commitment to documenting these alleged crimes and pushing for legal accountability through international forums, including the ICC and UN human rights bodies. It emphasized that without press freedom, the atrocities committed in Gaza risk going unseen and unchallenged.
