In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict that ignited on October 7, a total of 31 journalists have tragically lost their lives, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Out of the 31 casualties, 26 were Palestinian journalists, while four were Israeli and one was Lebanese. Additionally, CPJ has reported that as of October 7, nine journalists are either missing or have been detained.
The conflict has raised concerns about the safety of journalists, with news agencies such as Agence France-Presse seeking assurance from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that their journalists would not be targeted in Israeli strikes. The IDF, in response, expressed its inability to guarantee the safety of journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, citing its mission to target Hamas military activities throughout the region. The IDF noted that Hamas had placed its military operations in close proximity to journalists and civilians, making it challenging to ensure their safety. They urged news agencies to take all necessary precautions for the safety of their employees.
The CPJ is actively investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists who have been killed, are missing, detained, injured, or threatened, as well as incidents of damage to media offices and journalists' residences.
Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists during times of crisis. He emphasized that journalists are civilians carrying out vital work and should not be targeted by warring parties. The conflict has imposed an unprecedented toll on journalists in Gaza, who have faced significant threats and sacrifices, including the loss of colleagues, families, media facilities, and the need to seek safety without a secure haven or exit.
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