World Press Freedom Day: 97 journalists killed in Gaza since onset of Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Gaza conflict has had a devastating impact on journalists since October 7, when Hamas initiated an unprecedented attack on Israel, prompting the latter to retaliate and launch strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

According to preliminary findings from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a renowned nonprofit organization advocating for press freedom worldwide, at least 97 journalists and media workers are among the more than 35,000 casualties since the conflict began.

Gaza’s government media office has reported a higher toll, exceeding 140, as reported by Al Jazeera, while the International Federation of Journalists has estimated the number of deaths at 102.

The Israel Defense Forces had informed news agencies Reuters and Agence France-Presse at the onset of the war that it could not ensure the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip. This came after the agencies sought assurances that their journalists would not be targeted by Israeli strikes, according to a Reuters report.

Journalists in Gaza face significant risks as they cover the conflict, including devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, supply shortages, and extensive power outages.

CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna emphasised that journalists are civilians protected by international humanitarian law during conflicts. “Those responsible for their deaths face dual trials: one under international law and another before history’s unforgiving gaze,” he stated.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.