Discussion Led by Committee to Protect Journalists CEO on the Murder of Journalists in Gaza
In the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, the safety of journalists and the lack of international protection has been a pressing concern for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) since the start of the war.
This week, the CPJ expressed strong condemnation following Sunday's attack on journalists in Gaza City, which resulted in the death of six journalists, marking a significant escalation in the dangers faced by journalists in the region. Israel has not been able to provide a satisfactory explanation for the targeting of these journalists and civilians.
Anas al-Sharif, one of the journalists killed, denied being a Hamas militant until the day he was killed. The CPJ has seen no evidence that substantiates Israel's claim about Anas al-Sharif. Israel has produced documents showing that Anas al-Sharif was on the payroll of Hamas, but has not provided evidence that he was actively involved in Hamas or explained why they targeted a tent full of working journalists.
The CPJ is investigating at least 26 instances where journalists have been directly targeted by Israel, including at least one where Israel alleged the journalist was a terrorist without providing evidence or questionable evidence. Israel has also alleged that another Al Jazeera journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, was a terrorist, but experts have raised questions about the nature and veracity of the documents provided.
The UN human rights experts have condemned the killings of journalists, including the death of four Al Jazeera journalists, and have called it an attempt to silence independent reporting on the siege and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. UNESCO has described such killings as “unacceptable” and highlighted the targeting of journalists as a grave concern during the conflict.
From 2023 to 2025, over 190 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Israel-Gaza war, exceeding global journalist deaths from 2020-2022. In 2025 alone, Israel killed 13 journalists in Gaza, up from 10 in all of 2024 and only 1 in 2023. The August 10, 2025 strike on Gaza City was the deadliest single attack, killing 6 journalists, all labeled as deliberate murders by the CPJ.
Accountability for the killings of journalists requires credible, transparent investigations and individuals responsible being held accountable. The CPJ has requested clarifications and evidence from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding their claims that those killed were militants, but as of the latest information, no detailed public evidence substantiating Israel’s militant claims for these specific journalist deaths has been provided.
The CPJ continues to investigate these incidents and calls for a comprehensive, independent inquiry into the targeted killings of journalists in Gaza. The freedom of the press and the safety of journalists are essential for a functioning democracy and the pursuit of truth.
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