War in Gaza: Israel must be held accountable

Since October 2023, over 148 journalists have been killed in Gaza. The IFJ supports those affected, providing resources and working with the ICC to investigate intentional targeting of journalists.

By IFJ: More than six months of war in Gaza has devastated nearly every aspect of life in the enclave. Since Hamas’ horrific attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, and the subsequent invasion, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed. This includes at least 148 journalists and media workers, a mortality rate of over ten per cent – dramatically higher than any other occupational group.

For months, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has had evidence that the Israeli army has deliberately targeted journalists, and some of these cases are currently the subject of a complaint file before the International Criminal Court (ICC). On 20 May 2024, the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, called for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders – including the Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant – on charges of crimes against humanity and war cimes.

Since the initial attack the IFJ has called for the release of all hostages, for the opening of Gaza to international reporters, and Israel to respect international law that requires combatants to safeguard journalists. The IFJ has also worked closely with its affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate to support those reporting from Gaza. Supported by donations from all over the world, the IFJ’s International Safety Fund has paid for medical equipment, battery packs, food, fuel, clothing and tents for Gaza’s journalists. Their needs grow by the day, and more help is desperately required.

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 148 journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing. The IFJ is working closely with its affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) to verify information in real time.

The IFJ has documented the killings of:

135 Palestinian journalists and media workers

1. Mohammad Jarghoun, Smart Media, killed on 7 October
2. Ibrahim Lafi, Ain Media news agency, killed on 7 October
3. Mohammad Al-Salhi, photojournalist for news agency Fourth Authority, killed on 7 October
4. Asaad Shamlakh, freelance journalist, killed on 8 October
5. Said Al-Tawil, director of Al-Khamisa news agency, killed on 10 October
6. Mohammed Sobboh, photojournalist for Khabar news agency in Gaza, killed on 10 October
7. Hisham Al-Nawajha, photographer for Khabar news agency in Gaza, killed on 10 October
8. Salam Meimah (W), journalist for Al Quds Radio, killed on 10 October
9. Mohammed Fayez Yousef Abu Matar, freelance photographer, killed on 11 October
10. Ahmed Shehab, producer of Voice of Prisoners Radio, killed on 12 October
11. Hossam Mubarak, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 13 October
12. Yousef Dawwas, freelance journalist, killed on 14 October
13. Abdul Hadi Habib, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 16 October
14. Isam Bahar, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 17 October
15. Mohammed Balousha, Palestine TV, killed on 17 October
16. Samih Al-Nadi, director and producer of Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 October
17. Khalil Abu Athra, cameraman for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 19 October
18. Muhammad Abu Ali, Al-Shabab radio, killed on 20 October
19. Hani Madhoun, administrative staff for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 21 October
20. Roshdi Sarraj, co-founder of Ain Media, photojournalist, filmmaker and fixer for several international media such as Radio France, killed on 22 October
21. Mohammed Imad Labad, journalist for Al Resalah news website, killed on 23 October
22. Saed al-Halabi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October
23. Ahmed Abu Mahadi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October
24. Salma Mukhaimar (W), journalist, killed on 25 October
25. Jamal Al-Faqawi, journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October
26. Zaher Al-Afghani, journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October
27. Duaa Sharaf (W), journalist for Al Aqsa Radio, killed on 26 October
28. Mohammad Fayez Al Hassan, director general of Rawasi, killed on 26 October
29. Yasser Abu Namous, journalist for Al Sahel media, killed on 27 October
30. Nazmi Al-Nadim, deputy director of finance and administration for Palestine TV, killed on 30 October
31. Majd Kashkou, media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October
32. Imad Wahidi, media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October
33. Majd Fadl Arandas, journalist for news website Al-Jamahir, killed on 1 November
34. Mohammed Abu Hatab, correspondent for Palestine TV, killed on 2 November
35. Mohammed Bayyari, journalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 2 November
36. Iyad Matar, administrative staff at Al Aqsa TV, killed on 2 November
37. Mohammed Al Jajeh, Press House, killed on 6 November
38. Mohammad Abu Hasira, correspondent for WAFA news agency, body found under the rubble on 7 November
39. Yahya Abu Munie, journalist for Al Aqsa radio, killed on 7 November
40. Ahmed Al-Qara, photojournalist, killed on 10 November
41. Mousa Al Barsh, executive director of Namaa Radio, killed on 12 November
42. Ahmed Fatmah, photographer for Al Qahera News, killed on 13 November
43. Yacoub Bursh, director general of Namaa Radio, killed on 14 November
44. Mahmoud Matar, freelance journalist, killed on 15 November
45. Moseab Ashour, photographer, killed on 18 November
46. Mustafa Al-Sawaf, journalist and writer, killed on 18 November
47. Amr Abu Haya, media worker in Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November
48. Saary Mansour, director of Quds News Network, killed on 18 November
49. Hassouneh Isleem, freelance photographer for Quds News, killed on 18 November
50. Bilal Jadallah, director general of media development organisation Press House, killed on 19 November
51. Abdelhalim Awad, driver for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November
52. Ayat Al-Khaddura (W), digital and broadcaster journalist, killed on 20 November
53. Khamis Salem Deab, editor at Al Quds Radio, killed on 20 November
54. Jamal Hanieh, editor at Amwaj Sports Media Network, killed on 21 November
55. Mohamad Nabil Al-Zaq, journalist for Quds TV, killed on 22 November
56. Assem Al-Barsh, journalist for Palestinian Al-Ray radio, killed on 22 November
57. Muhammad Moin Ayyash, photojournalist, killed on 23 November
58. Amal Zahed (W), journalist, killed on 24 November
59. Mustafa Bakir, journalist and cameraman for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 24 November
60. Nader Al-Nazli, technician for Palestine TV, killed on 25 November
61. Abdallah Darwish, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 1 December
62. Muntaser Al-Sawaf, photographer for Anadolu Agency, killed on 1 December
63. Marwan Al-Sawaf, photographer for Alef Media, killed on 1 December
64. Adham Hassouna, freelance journalist, killed on 1 December
65. Hassan Farajallah, executive at Al Quds TV, killed on 3 December
66. Shaima Jazzar (W), freelance journalist, killed on 4 December
67. Ala Atallah (W), journalist, killed on 9 December
68. Mohamed Abu Samra, photojournalist, killed on 9 December
69. Duaa Jabbour (W), freelance journalist for Eyes Media Network, killed on 9 December
70. Narmeen Qawwas (W), intern at Russia Today, killed on 11 December
71. Abdul Karim Odeh, journalist and former Al-Mayadeen correspondent, killed on 13 December
72. Samer Abu Daqqa, cameraman for Al Jazeera Arabic, killed on 15 December
73. Assem Kamal Moussa, journalist for Palestine Now, killed on 16 December
74. Haneen Ali Al-Qashtan (W), journalist for Sawt Al Watan Radio, killed on 17 December
75. Abdallah Alwan, media worker for Al Jazeera owned platform Midan, killed on 18 December
76. Mohammad Nasser Abu Hweidy, photojournalist for Al Istiqlal newspaper, killed on 22 December
77. Ahmad Jamal Madhoun, deputy director at Al Rai news agency, killed on 23 December
78. Mohammad Saidi (Khalifa), director at Al Aqsa TV, killed on 24 December
79. Mohammad Abdul Khaleq Al Ghuf, photojournalist for Al Rai news agency, killed on 24 December
80. Huthaifa Lulu, broadcast engineer at Prisoners Radio, who previously worked for Al Quds TV, killed on 24 December
81. Mohammad Khair Al Din, archiving officer at Al Aqsa TV, killed on 28 December
82. Ahmad Khair Al Din, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 28 December
83. Jaber Abu Hedrous, correspondent for Al-Quds TV, killed on 29 December
84. Akram Al Shafei, correspondent for Safa News Agency, killed on 5 January
85. Hamza Al-Dahdouh, journalist for Al Jazeera, killed on 7 January
86. Mustafa Thuraya, freelance videographer for Agence France Presse, killed on 7 January
87. Heba Al-Abdallah (W), journalist, killed on 9 January
88. Ahmad Bdeir, journalist for local magazine Hadaf News, killed on 10 January
89. Mohammed Jamal Sabahi Al Thalathin, journalist for Al Quds TV, killed on 11 January
90. Yazan Al-Zuweidi, photographer for Al Ghad TV, killed on 15 January
91. Iyad Ahmed Al-Ruwahi, correspondent and presenter for Voice of Al Aqsa Radio, killed on 26 January
92. Mohamed Abdel El Fatah Atta Allah, editor for Al-Risala newspaper, killed on 29 January
93. Nafez Abdel Jawad, director of Palestine TV,  killed on 8 February
94. Alaa al-Hams (W), journalist for local media, killed on 12 February
95. Angham Ahmed Adwan (W), journalist for Libyan channel February, killed on 12 February
96. Mohammad Yaghi, photojournalist for a number of international media, including Al Jazeera, killed on 23 February
97. Ibrahim Mahamid, journalist, presenter and cameraman for Al-Salam TV, Al-Shaab TV and other local media, killed on 1 March
98. Mohammed Khader Ahmad Salama, journalist and presenter for Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 5 March
99. Abdel Rahman Saima, photohrapher and producer for Raqmi TV, killed on 15 March
100.  Mohammed Al-Rifi, photojournalist, killed on 15 March
101.  Saher Akram Rayyan, media worker for WAFA news agency, killed on 25 March
102.  Mohammed Abu Sakhil, editor and graphic designer for Shams News Agency, killed on 28 March
103.  Tariq Al-Sayed Shakil, digital media editor for Voice of Al Quds radio, killed on 28 March
104.  Mohammed Basam Al Jamal, correspondent for Palestine Now news agency, killed on 25 April
105.  Mustafa Ayyad, freelance photojournalist for Al Jazeera Live, killed on 6 May
106.  Baha Akasha, photojournalist for Al-Aqsa Media Network, killed on 11 May
107.  Hael Al-Najjar, media worker for Al Aqsa Media Network, killed on 15 May
108.  Mahmoud Jahjouh, photojournalist for Palestine Post Network, killed on 17 May
109.  Ola Al-Dahdouh (W), journalist and presenter, radio station Watan, killed on 31 May
110.  Mohammad Abu Sharia, editor-in-chief of Shams News Agency, killed on 1 July
111.  Mohammad Al Sakni, director of Al Quds TV, killed on 5 July
112.  Adeeb Sukkar, journalist for Deep Shot Media production company, killed on 5 July
113.  Saadi Madoukh, director of Deep Shot Media production company, killed on 5 July
114.  Rizq Abu Shakyan, journalist and editor for Palestine Media Agency, killed on 6 July
115.  Wafa Abu Dabaan (W), programme producer and presenter for Islamic University radio station, killed on 6 July
116.  Amjad Al-Jahjouh, correspondent for Palestine Now news agency, killed on 6 July
117.  Mohammad Manhal Abu Armanah, journalist, killed on 13 July
118.  Mohammad Majid Abu Daqa, journalist, killed on 29 July
119.  Ismail al-Ghoul, journalist for Al Jazeera Arabic, killed on 31 July
120.  Rami al-Refee, cameraman for Al Jazeera Arabic, killed on 31 July
121.  Tamim Muammar, journalist for Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation – Voice of Palestine, killed on 9 August
122.  Abdullah Al-Sousi, journalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 9 August
123. Ibrahim Muhareb, freelance photojournalist, killed on 18 August
124.  Hamza Murtaja, journalist, killed on 20 August
125.  Hossam Manal Al-Dabbaka, photojournalist for Al Quds TV, killed on 22 August
126.  Ali Taima, cameraman for Al-Awda TV channel,  killed on 26 August
127.  Mohammad Abed Rabbo, working for Al-Manara Media Production Company, killed on 28 August
128.  Wafa Aludaini (W), founder and senior journalist of October 16th Media Group, killed on 30 September
129.  Hassan Hamad, freelance journalist, killed on 6 October
130.  Mohammad Al Tanani, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 9 October
131.  Saed Radwan, head of digital media department at Al Aqsa TV, killed on 27 October
132.  Hamza Abu Salmiya, journalist at Sand News Agency, killed on 27 October
133.  Haneen Mahmoud Baroud (W), journalist at Al Quds Foundation, killed on 27 October
134.  Bilal Muhammad Rajab, photoournalist at Al Quds Al Youm channel, killed on 1 November
135.  Mohammed Saleh Al-Sharif, journalist, killed on 16 November

4 Israeli journalists and media workers

1. Yaniv Zohar, photographer for Israel HaYom, killed on 7 October
2. Ayelet Arnin, news editor for Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), killed on 7 October
3. Shai Regev, editor for TMI, killed on 7 October
4. Roee Idan, photographer for Ynet, killed on 7 October

8 Lebanese journalists

1. Issam Abdallah, video journalist for Reuters, killed on 13 October 2023
2. Farah Omar, reporter for Al Mayadeen, killed on 20 November 2023
3. Rabih Me’mari, cameraman for Al Mayadeen TV, killed on 20 November 2023
4. Hadi Al-Sayed, journalist for Al Mayadeen TV, killed on 25 September 2024
5. Kamel Karkari, cameraman for Al-Manar TV, killed on 24 September
6. Ghassan Najjar, cameraman for Al Mayadeen TV, killed on 25 October
7. Mohammad Reda, broadcast engineer for Al Mayadeen TV, killed on 25 October
8. Wissam Qassim, camera operator for Al-Manar TV, killed on 25 October

1 Syrian journalist

1. Safaa Ahmad (W), anchor for Syrian state television, killed on 1 October

* The IFJ is working hard to keep this list up-to-date and accurate, seeking multiple sources for each name added, and concentrating on those who worked as journalists and media workers. Our intention is to list every journalist and media worker who has lost their life during the war. We welcome any further information that either contextualises the deaths itemised, or adds names to the list. 

The IFJ and its Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate safety trainers in the field have taken into account the particular situation of working conditions for journalists in the Gaza Strip by updating its safety advice and calling on all newsrooms – especially employers – to protect its reporters, photographers and camera operators in the field. In such dangerous conditions, the IFJ reminds journalists on the ground to take precautions, wear professional safety equipment and not to travel without their news platforms providing them with all the professional safety equipment needed to cover events. No story is worth the life of a journalist. 

On 13 October, the IFJ and its affiliates around the world called on UNESCO to do its utmost to protect journalists and demand that the warring parties de-escalate the violence, which will only result in civilian casualties, particularly journalists.

In addition, the battle against disinformation is one of the pillars of the IFJ’s Global Ethics Charter for Journalists. Its provisions must remain the backbone of journalists’ professional principles; being well informed is one of the first rights of a citizen.

https://www.ifj.org/war-in-gaza