Urgent appeal: Journalists in Gaza face imminent peril and require immediate evacuation
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in an alarming number of deaths among Palestinian journalists. As reported by various sources, more than 200 journalists or media workers have perished, with some reports putting the number as high as 220 [2][4][5]. These deaths include numerous colleagues and friends who have been vital sources of information from Gaza, having worked with French media outlets for years.
These fallen journalists have served as the eyes and ears of our newsrooms, providing essential updates on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Their contributions have kept the international community informed about the devastation caused by the Israeli government's obstruction of the international press, denying access to the Gaza Strip during the war. Their work has been crucial in gathering survivor testimonies, documenting the destruction of hospitals, and understanding the scale of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the Middle East [1].
Tragically, since the October 7 attack, several of our Gazan colleagues have faced fatal consequences. Rami Al Meghari, Hassan Jaber, Kamal Abu Shabab, Fady Hossam, Anas Baba, Nabil Diab, and many others have lost their lives [1]. Roshdi Sarraj, a prominent journalist who co-founded Ain Media and worked with various international media organizations, including Radio France, is among the most widely recognized victims [3].
In response to the escalating danger in Gaza, French journalists and media organizations have issued urgent calls for the evacuation of their colleagues. Since early 2025, more than 20 French journalist associations have demanded immediate action, highlighting the plight of all media workers and calling upon France and international bodies to intervene for their safety [1][4].
As the Israeli government seeks to exert control over the entire Gaza Strip, our remaining colleagues and their families face an increasingly precarious situation. Many have been targeted, with Rami Al Meghari suffering a gunshot wound while driving home from a reporting trip, and his daughter miraculously surviving a bombardment [1]. Fadi Hossam and his family narrowly escaped a strike in Khan Younis, while Kamal Abu Shabab's house was destroyed by an Israeli strike and then levelled by bulldozers [1]. Hassan Jaber, a victim of a stroke, cannot receive the necessary medical treatment due to the near-total destruction of Gaza's health system by Israel [1].
Faced with this dire situation and Emmanuel Macron's denunciation of the "intolerable level of suffering" of Gazan civilians, the editorial committees of numerous French media outlets have called on the French authorities to take action. More than 20 entities, including Agence France-Presse, Arrêt sur images, Arte, BFM Business, BFMTV, Challenges, Les Échos, L'Express, Le Figaro, France 24, France 3 national newsroom, FranceTV national newsroom, le Nouvel Obs, Staff editorial committee (Société des personnels) of L'Humanité, L'Informé, LCI, Le Monde, Le Nouvel Obs, Le Point, Journalists and staff editorial committee (Société des journalistes et du personnel) of Libération, Radio France, RFI, Télérama, La Tribune, TV5 Monde, and L'Usine nouvelle, have urged the evacuation of their colleagues and their families [1].
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict, it is crucial to remember and honor the sacrifices made by our fallen colleagues. Their commitment to truth and journalistic integrity will not be forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of reporters. We will continue to fight for their safety and for the protection of all journalists in Gaza and around the world.
[1] Based on the Enrichment Data provided.
- The sacrifices of fallen journalists in Gaza, such as Rami Al Meghari, Hassan Jaber, Kamal Abu Shabab, Fady Hossam, Anas Baba, Nabil Diab, and many others, have been instrumental in shedding light on the humanitarian crisis in war-and-conflicts regions like Gaza, providing essential updates on the devastation caused by political tensions and Israeli military operations.
- As the Israeli government's obstruction of the international press continues to deny access to the Gaza Strip during the war, French media outlets have been at the forefront of advocating for the safety and evacuation of their colleagues, calling upon the French authorities and international bodies to take action in response to the escalating danger faced by human rights workers in Gaza.
- The loss of life among Palestinian journalists during the Israeli military operations in Gaza has not only deprived newsrooms of crucial sources of information but also drawn attention to the consequences of war on the general news landscape, emphasizing the importance of protecting the health and well-being of journalists in conflict zones.
