In the ongoing conflict in Palestine, marked by the relentless bombardment by Israel that has claimed the lives of over 15,000 Palestinians, a particularly alarming trend has emerged — the targeted killing of journalists. Fifty Palestinian journalists have lost their lives while covering the Israeli assault in Gaza.
Since the commencement of hostilities on October 7, the toll on media professionals has been staggering, with more than one journalist losing their life every day.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Israel-Gaza war has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel declared war, launching strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
CPJ is investigating all reports of journalists and media workers killed, injured, or missing in the war, which has led to the deadliest month for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992, the CPJ statement said.
As of November 28, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 57 journalists and media workers were among the more than 16,000 killed since the war began on October 7—with some 14,800 Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank and 1,200 deaths in Israel. The deadliest day of the war for journalist deaths was its first day, October 7, with six journalists killed; the second-deadliest day occurred on November 18, with five killed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Reuters and Agence France Press news agencies that it could not guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, after they had sought assurances that their journalists would not be targeted by Israeli strikes, Reuters reported on October 27.
Journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks as they try to cover the conflict during the Israeli ground assault, including devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, supply shortages and extensive power outages.
As of November 28, 57 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 50 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese, 11 journalists were reported injured, 3 missing and 19 journalists were reported arrested.
CPJ is also investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes, the statement said.
“CPJ emphasises that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.
“Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”
The list published here includes names based on information obtained from CPJ’s sources in the region and media reports. It includes all journalists involved in news-gathering activity. It is unclear whether all of these journalists were covering the conflict at the time of their deaths, but CPJ has included them in our count as we investigate their circumstances. The list is being updated on a regular basis, the CPJ statement mentioned.
