Journalists in Gaza Face Deadliest Conditions in Decades

Mourners perform the funeral prayer for Palestinian journalists killed in an Israeli airstrike on August 10.

More than 260 media professionals have been killed in the recent hostilities in Gaza – the deadliest conflict for journalists in decades.

The issue came into focus at UN Headquarters on Monday during a forum highlighting the dangers and complexities of reporting from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The conversation “could not be more timely, nor more necessary,” said Melissa Fleming, head of the Department of Global Communications (DGC), which organised the 2025 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East.

“This seminar is inviting us to consider how journalism in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, has become both a battleground and a lifeline,” she said.

‘Unacceptable ban’ on foreign press: Guterres

Ms Fleming read out a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who said that “journalists in Gaza have been facing the same risks and realities as the people they cover – including displacement, famine and death.”

He stressed that the rules of war are clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted, and journalists must be able to perform their essential work without interference, intimidation or harm.

“This includes the unacceptable ban that prevents international journalists from accessing Gaza,” he said.

Fulfilling their duty

Following the deadly 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, Gaza was placed under a complete siege.

Wael Al-Dahdouh, chief of the Gaza bureau of the Al Jazeera network, recalled that the enclave was isolated as water, electricity, communications and the internet were cut off.

Nevertheless, journalists continued to work amid bombardment, deprivation, personal loss and displacement.

“There were so many responsibilities that we felt towards you, towards the whole world,” he said in a video message.

“Because we realised that if we did not fulfil our duty with our will – even if the cost is our lives – then the world would not see what is happening to two million people in this area as a result of the Israeli genocide.”

Put pressure on Israel: Mansour

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine, saluted “the courageous Palestinian journalists in Gaza,” saying that thanks to them, “this genocide in Gaza has become the most documented in history.”

He urged participants to pressure Israel to allow foreign reporters access to the Strip.

“We should ask ourselves why Israel is not allowing foreign media into Gaza. Don’t accept their security pretext. Foreign journalists were allowed in every war zone except Gaza,” he said.

Protection, access and accountability

Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive Officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), underscored the need for protection, independent access to Gaza and accountability.

She stressed that “allowing international access to Gaza is not a reflection on Palestinian journalists” but “a norm we should be insisting upon, and a support to those Palestinian journalists.”

Relatives also targeted

Nasser Abu Bakr, Chairman of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, reported that more than 255 journalists have been killed in Gaza, representing nearly 18 per cent of all journalists in the Strip.

More than 500 were wounded, and Israel arrested over 200 others who were subjected to extreme torture in prison. Additionally, relatives of journalists were also killed or targeted.

He said the syndicate and the International Union of Journalists are ready to cooperate with the Secretary-General in submitting a report detailing the systemic crimes perpetrated against journalists in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

He added that the time has come to implement UN Security Council resolution 2222 (2015), which condemns impunity for crimes against journalists.

“We want this resolution to be implemented on the occupation, and those in the occupation State to be held accountable for these crimes against our journalists,” he said in a video message.

Journalism vital to peace

The Secretary-General’s message reaffirmed the UN’s unwavering commitment to achieving a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians, noting that journalists play a vital role in building the informed global consensus needed to realise this goal.

He expressed hope that the dialogue would “strengthen respect for press freedom and the protection and safety of journalists in the Middle East” and help lay the foundation for a just and lasting peace.