Gaza: 263 Journalists Killed During Three Years of War, Palestinian Authorities Say

Gaza: 263 Journalists Killed During Three Years of War, Palestinian Authorities Say
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Three years of war in Gaza have taken a devastating toll on Palestinian journalists, with the Gaza Government Media Office saying that 263 journalists and media workers have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023.

The figure was reiterated on October 7, following the death of journalist Muhammad Abdel Aziz al-Najjar in an Israeli drone strike on September 30. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, 50 journalists have also been detained by Israel, with 23 still in custody, while three journalists remain missing. The office said the conflict has also destroyed or damaged dozens of media institutions, including television and radio offices, newspapers, digital media organizations and printing facilities.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has separately reported that nearly 500 journalists have been wounded, with 27 women journalists among those killed. Before the war, Gaza had approximately 1,200 journalists, meaning the reported deaths represent more than one-fifth of the territory’s journalism community.

The destruction has also severely affected Gaza’s media infrastructure. According to the Government Media Office, Israeli attacks have damaged or destroyed 16 satellite television offices, 11 radio institutions, 12 newspaper and magazine offices, 23 digital media organizations, 27 printing houses and five media-related professional and rights organizations. The office estimates the losses suffered by Gaza’s media sector at approximately $1 billion, including buildings, equipment, broadcast vehicles and technical devices.

Journalists in Gaza have continued working despite losing homes, offices, equipment and family members. With foreign journalists largely unable to enter the territory, local reporters and photographers remain a primary source of information from inside Gaza, often working from displacement camps, hospitals and areas affected by Israeli attacks.

The continued deaths of journalists have made Gaza one of the deadliest environments for the press in modern times. CPJ has described the conflict as an unprecedented period of danger for journalists, while emphasizing that its database is continually reviewed as new information becomes available.