Dharmasiri Lankapeli

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 67 journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing. 

The full report issued by the IFJ is below.

In the early hours of 7 October, Hamas launched a horrific, unprecedented attack in southern Israel. In response, Israel retaliated with airstrikes over the besieged Gaza Strip and formally declared war on Hamas. On the night of 13 October, the Israeli army instructed more than one million Palestinians in the north of the Gaza Strip to move to the south of the territory, in anticipation of bombing and possible invasion. The loss of life on both sides is already tragic. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has concern for the welfare of civilians and journalists alike.

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 67 journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing. The IFJ is working closely with its affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) to verify information in real-time.

As of December 4, the IFJ has documented the killings of:

60 Palestinian journalists and media workers

  1. Mohammad Jarghoun, Smart Media, killed on 7 October
  2. Ibrahim Lafi, Ain Media news agency, killed on 7 October
  3. Mohammad Al-Salhi, photojournalist for news agency Fourth Authority, killed on 7 October
  4. Asaad Shamlakh, a freelance journalist, killed on 8 October
  5. Said Al-Tawil, director of Al-Khamisa news agency, killed on 10 October
  6. Mohammed Sobboh, photojournalist for a news agency in Gaza, killed on 10 October
  7. Hisham Al-Nawajha, photographer for Khabar news agency in Gaza, killed on 10 October
  8. Salam Meimah, a journalist for Al Quds Radio, killed on 10 October
  9. Mohammed Fayez Yousef Abu Matar, freelance photographer, killed on 11 October
  10. Ahmed Shehab, producer of Voice of Prisoners Radio, killed on 12 October
  11. Hossam Mubarak, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 13 October
  12. Abdul Hadi Habib, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 16 October
  13. Isam Bahar, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 17 October
  14. Mohammed Balousha, Palestine TV, killed on 17 October
  15. Samih Al-Nadi, director and producer of Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 October
  16. Khalil Abu Athra, cameraman for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 19 October
  17. Muhammad Abu Ali, Al-Shabab radio, killed on 20 October
  18. Hani Madhoun, administrative staff for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 21 October
  19. Roshdi Sarraj, co-founder of Ain Media, photojournalist, filmmaker and fixer for several international media such as Radio France, killed on 22 October
  20. Mohammed Imad Labad, journalist, killed on 23 October
  21. Saed al-Halabi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October
  22. Ahmed Abu Mahadi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October
  23. Salma Mukhaimar, journalist, killed on 25 October
  24. Jamal Al-Faqawi, journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October
  25. Zaher Al-Afghani, a journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October
  26. Duaa Sharaf, journalist, killed on 26 October
  27. Yasser Abu Namous, journalist, killed on 27 October
  28. Nazmi Al-Nadim, deputy director of finance and administration for Palestine TV, killed on 30 October
  29. Majd Kashkou, a media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October
  30. Imad Wahidi, a media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October
  31. Majd Fadl Arandas, journalist for the news website Al-Jamahir, killed on 1 November
  32. Mohammed Abu Hatab, correspondent for Palestine TV, killed on 2 November
  33. Mohammed Bayyari, a journalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 2 November
  34. Mohammed Al Jajeh, Press House, killed on 6 November
  35. Mohammad Abu Hasira, correspondent for WAFA news agency, body found under the rubble on 7 November
  36. Yahya Abu Munie, journalist for Al Aqsa radio, killed on 7 November
  37. Ahmed Al-Qara, photojournalist, killed on 10 November
  38. Mousa Al Barsh, executive director of Namaa Radio, killed on 12 November
  39. Ahmed Fatmah, photographer for Al Qahera News, killed on 13 November
  40. Mahmoud Matar, a freelance journalist, killed on 15 November
  41. Moseab Ashour, photographer, killed on 18 November
  42. Mustafa Al-Sawaf, journalist and writer, killed on 18 November
  43. Amr Abu Haya, a media worker on Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November
  44. Salary Mansour, director of Quds News Network, killed on 18 November
  45. Hasouned Isleem, a freelance photographer, killed on 18 November
  46. Bilal Jadallah, director general of media development organisation Press House, killed on 19 November
  47. Abdelhalim Awad, driver for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November
  48. Alaa Taher Al-Hasanat, journalist, killed on 20 November
  49. Ayat Al-Khaddura, a digital and broadcasting journalist, killed on 20 November
  50. Mohamad Nabil Al-Zaq, the journalist for Quds TV, killed on 22 November
  51. Assem Al-Barsh, the journalist for Palestinian Al-Ray radio, killed on 22 November
  52. Muhammad Moin Ayyash, photojournalist, killed on 23 November
  53. Amal Zahed, journalist, killed on 24 November
  54. Mustafa Bakir, journalist, killed on 24 November
  55. Nader Al-Nazli, a technician for Palestine TV, killed on 25 November
  56. Abdallah Darwish, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 1 December
  57. Muntaser Al-Sawaf, photographer for Anadolu Agency, killed on 1 December
  58. Alaa Al-Sarraj, photojournalist, killed on 1 December
  59. Adham Hassouna, freelance journalist, killed on 1 December
  60. Hassan Farajallah, executive at Al Quds TV, killed on 3 December

4 Israeli journalists and media workers

  1. Yaniv Zohar, photographer for Israel HaYom, killed on 7 October
  2. Ayelet Arnin, news editor for Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), killed on 7 October
  3. Shai Regev, editor for TMI, killed on 7 October
  4. Roee Idan, photographer for Ynet, killed on 7 October

3 Lebanese journalists

  1. Issam Abdallah, video journalist for Reuters, killed on 13 October
  2. Farah Omar, reporter for Al Mayadeen, killed on 20 November
  3. Rabih Me’mari, cameraman for Al Mayadeen TV, killed on 20 November

 * The IFJ is working hard to keep this list up-to-date and accurate, seeking multiple sources for each name added, and concentrating on those who worked as journalists and media workers. We intend to list every journalist and media worker who has lost their life during the war. We welcome any further information that either contextualises the deaths itemised, or adds names to the list. 

The IFJ and its Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate safety trainers in the field have taken into account the particular situation of working conditions for journalists in the Gaza Strip by updating its safety advice and calling on all newsrooms – especially employers – to protect its reporters, photographers, and camera operators in the field. In such dangerous conditions, the IFJ reminds journalists on the ground to take precautions, wear professional safety equipment, and not to travel without their news platforms providing them with all the professional safety equipment needed to cover events. No story is worth the life of a journalist.

 On 13 October, the IFJ and its affiliates around the world called on UNESCO to do their utmost to protect journalists and demand that the warring parties de-escalate the violence, which will only result in civilian casualties, particularly journalists.

In addition, the battle against disinformation is one of the pillars of the IFJ’s Global Ethics Charter for Journalists. Its provisions must remain the backbone of journalists’ professional principles; being well-informed is one of the first rights of a citizen.