The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has condemned the Israeli occupation forces for continuing their systematic policy of targeting and killing journalists, committing repeated massacres against them and their families. These acts have led to the death of 219 journalists and media workers, according to a report published Sunday by the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).
اضافة اعلان
The report states that among the 219 killed, 30 were female journalists, and one journalist was killed in the West Bank. The occupation continues to target Palestinian journalists and their families, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Since October 7, 2023, at least 430 journalists have been wounded by Israeli gunfire and missile attacks, and no fewer than 685 family members of journalists in Gaza have been killed.
1,000 Displaced Journalists
The Syndicate reported that around 1,000 journalists in Gaza are living in conditions of repeated displacement from the north to the south of the strip. They face severe hardships due to lack of safety, constant targeting of their shelters by Israeli airstrikes, and dire living conditions, including the absence of electricity and internet, which hinders their ability to work.
In coordination with prisoner rights organizations, the Syndicate also documented the arrest of 180 journalists by Israeli authorities since October 2023. This number includes 17 female journalists, all of whom have since been released, and 39 journalists from Gaza. 42 journalists have been sentenced to administrative detention, while 48 remain in custody across the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem and Gaza. Additionally, six journalists arrested before October 2023 are still detained.
Enforced Disappearance
The Syndicate stressed that Israel continues the practice of enforced disappearance of Palestinian journalists. It cited the cases of journalists Nidal Al-Wahidi and Haitham Abdulwahid, whose fate remains unknown. This constitutes a complete crime of enforced disappearance in violation of international and humanitarian law, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which entered into force in 2010.
115 Media Institutions Destroyed
As part of its war on the media and efforts to suppress the truth, Israel has launched widespread air and ground attacks that have destroyed 115 media institutions in the Gaza Strip. This includes the entirety of Gaza’s media infrastructure. In the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, Israel has shut down five media outlets and destroyed or closed 12 printing presses.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate affirmed its commitment to continue working with all international human rights and media organizations to protect journalists, ensure accountability for crimes committed, and stop what it described as Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinian journalism. The Syndicate concluded that Israel has committed the largest massacre against the press in modern history.
