Unrelenting targeting and dismal conditions result in a significant rise in fatalities among Palestinian journalists in Gaza
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, the safety and wellbeing of journalists have become a pressing concern. The war, now in its 22nd month, poses a significant challenge for Palestinian journalists who are reporting under extremely difficult conditions.
The killing of Al-Jazeera news anchor Anas Al-Sharif and four members of his team in August 2025 brought the number of Palestinian journalists killed in this conflict to 186. This tragic event marked the deadliest single attack on press members in the Israel-Gaza conflict, with six journalists deliberately killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike on Gaza City.
These killings are not isolated incidents. Since 2023, over 190 journalists and media workers have been killed in the war, surpassing the total killed worldwide in the prior three years combined (165 from 2020-2022). These killings are characterised as murders, meaning deliberate targeting due to journalists’ work.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned these attacks as "unacceptable" violations of international law. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023. UNESCO urges respect for UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which calls for the protection of journalists in conflict zones.
The repeated targeting of journalists breaches international legal protections designed to safeguard media personnel in war zones. These incidents have raised grave concerns about the safety of remaining journalists in Gaza, who continue to report under extreme danger and risk.
Fuel shortages can affect the ability of journalists to travel around Gaza to cover developments. Daily electricity cuts are a common occurrence, leaving television reporters visibly thin and haggard due to the lack of power for generators. Many journalists are forced to live in tents and endure the daily scramble to secure water and food supplies.
The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and the BBC have expressed concern for the survival of journalists in Gaza, as they are increasingly unable to secure food for themselves and their families. No foreign journalists have been allowed by Israel to enter Gaza to report independently.
Israel's alleged war crimes under international humanitarian law have been highlighted by recent fatalities and the failure by responsible military forces to provide protections or accountability. Press freedom organisations have called for action to address the campaign endangering media workers reporting from Gaza.
Amnesty International Australia has accused Israel of "war crimes under international humanitarian law" for the "deliberate targeting and killing of journalists". The Israeli government has not yet responded to these accusations.
Despite the perilous conditions, Palestinian journalists continue to report, managing their work during displacement, along with their families who have been traumatized by constant warfare and repeated uprooting. The resilience and commitment of these journalists in the face of adversity is a testament to their dedication to truth and freedom of the press.
[1] UNESCO, Press Release, "UNESCO condemns attacks on journalists in Gaza," 1 September 2025, https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-condemns-attacks-journalists-gaza
[2] Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "Over 240 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023," 1 September 2025, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27025&LangID=E
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Gaza have led to a significant increase in politics and general news, with over 190 journalists and media workers killed since 2023, a number that surpasses the total killed worldwide in the prior three years combined.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has strongly criticized the targeted killings of journalists in the Israel-Gaza conflict, labeling them as unacceptable violations of international law, as reported in their press release on September 1, 2025.
