The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has created a harrowing reality for journalists working in one of the world's most dangerous conflict zones. Since Israel declared war on Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks, journalists in Gaza and beyond have faced unparalleled risks, with many paying the ultimate price.
As of December 11, 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has recorded the deaths of 137 journalists and media workers across Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon. This grim figure marks the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began documenting such tragedies in 1992.
Unprecedented Challenges in Gaza
Journalists in Gaza navigate a perilous environment shaped by relentless Israeli airstrikes, severe food shortages, and mass displacement, with 90% of Gaza’s population uprooted. The destruction of nearly 80% of Gaza's infrastructure compounds the difficulties, making it extremely challenging to document atrocities, verify casualties, or even survive.
CPJ is investigating over 130 additional cases of possible journalist deaths, injuries, and detentions, but the chaos on the ground hampers thorough documentation.
Targeted Killings Raise Alarming Questions
CPJ's investigations reveal that at least seven journalists and one media worker were deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli forces. These incidents have been classified as murders, with the list including Issam Abdallah, Hamza Al Dahdouh, and others. CPJ is examining an additional 20 cases that suggest potential targeting.
Despite these findings, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have repeatedly stated that journalists are not targeted and that the safety of media workers in conflict zones cannot be guaranteed. Nonetheless, CPJ and international watchdogs continue to demand accountability for attacks on journalists, emphasizing that targeting civilians, including media workers, constitutes a war crime under international law.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
Global organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed alarm over the unprecedented assault on press freedom. UN experts highlighted in February that the surge in journalist casualties and detentions in Gaza starkly violates international law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also initiated proceedings against both Hamas and Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As the war’s toll on media workers grows, CPJ reiterates the urgency of ending impunity for crimes against journalists. The organization calls for international intervention to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that the safety of journalists in conflict zones is prioritized.
The Human Cost of Reporting
Beyond fatalities, journalists face an array of threats, including injuries, arrests, cyberattacks, and the destruction of homes and media offices. CPJ reports 49 journalists injured, two missing, and 74 detained as of December 2024. Many continue to endure threats to their families and livelihoods, further illustrating the precariousness of their situation.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, journalists in Gaza persist in their efforts to report the truth, often risking everything to ensure the world remains informed about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.