Gaza: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) have documented the deaths of at least 159 journalists and media workers killed during Israel's military operations in Gaza since October 2023.
The latest casualties include journalists Yahya Subaih, who died in an Israeli bombing in western Gaza City, and Nour El-Din Abdo, who was killed when Israeli forces targeted Al-Karama School in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood of eastern Gaza on May 7.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate with airstrikes over Gaza and formally declare war on Hamas. Since then, the Gaza Strip has experienced relentless bombardment, resulting in what media organizations describe as one of the deadliest periods for journalists in recent history.
Among the recent casualties was freelance photojournalist Fatima Hassona, a PJS member who lost her life on April 16 when an Israeli bombardment hit her home in Gaza City. Just days earlier, on April 7-8, journalists Ahmed Mansour of Palestine Today and Hilmi Al Faqawi of Palestine TV were killed when Israeli airstrikes targeted a media workers' tent near Al Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
The deaths have not been limited to field reporters. Media executives, photographers, broadcast technicians, and administrative staff working for various outlets have all been among the casualties. Many journalists were killed when airstrikes hit their homes, while others died while actively reporting on events. For instance, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa was killed by a drone strike on December 15 while covering the aftermath of Israeli attacks on a school in Khan Yunis. In the same attack, Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, Wael Al-Dahdouh, was wounded.
On January 7, 2025, Hamza Al-Dahdouh, son of Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, was killed alongside freelance videographer Mustafa Thuraya when an Israeli drone hit their car while they were on assignment near Rafah. Hamza worked for Al Jazeera, while Thuraya was a freelance videographer for Agence France Presse.
The IFJ has repeatedly called for an investigation into these deaths and condemned the continued attacks on media professionals. "Media workers in areas of armed conflict must be treated and protected as civilians and allowed to perform their work without interference," said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. "There is intense and deeply concerned interest in this conflict all round the world, but people will only be able to understand what is really going on if journalists are allowed to do their work."
In addition to the deaths, many journalists have been reported missing or injured since the conflict began. The PJS warned that on October 7, contact was lost with local journalist Nidal Al-Wahidi from Al-Najah TV station and photographer Haitham Abdel Wahed from Ain Media agency while they were covering fighting near the separation fence with Israel. Al-Wahidi's family later informed media that the journalist had been arrested by the Israeli army.
The conflict has also resulted in the destruction of numerous media headquarters, including the newsroom of Al-Ayyam newspaper, Gaza FM radio studio in Palestine Tower, and the offices of Shehab news agency and Palestinian news agency Ma'an.
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries and has issued safety advisories for journalists covering the war in Gaza. As the conflict continues, the organization remains vigilant in documenting and condemning attacks on media professionals, emphasizing that their protection is essential for ensuring the world receives accurate information about the ongoing situation.
