War in Gaza: Journalists are under attack

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 at 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 grave concern for the welfare of civilians and journalists alike. 

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 85 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 January 8, the IFJ has documented the killings of: 

78 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, 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, 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. Yousef Dawwas, freelance journalist, killed on 14 October 
13. Abdul Hadi Habib, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 16 October
14. Isam Bahar, Al Aqsa TV, killed on 17 October 
15. Mohammed Balousha, Palestine TV, killed on 17 October 
16. Samih Al-Nadi, director and producer of Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 October 
17. Khalil Abu Athra, cameraman for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 19 October 
18. Muhammad Abu Ali, Al-Shabab radio, killed on 20 October
19. Hani Madhoun, administrative staff for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 21 October
20. Roshdi Sarraj, co-founder of Ain Media, photojournalist, filmmaker and fixer for several international media such as Radio France, killed on 22 October 
21. Mohammed Imad Labad, journalist, killed on 23 October 
22. Saed al-Halabi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October 
23. Ahmed Abu Mahadi, Al-Aqsa TV, killed on 25 October
24. Salma Mukhaimar, journalist, killed on 25 October
25. Jamal Al-Faqawi, journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October 
26. Zaher Al-Afghani, journalist for Mithaq Media Network, killed on 25 October
27. Duaa Sharaf, journalist, killed on 26 October 
28. Yasser Abu Namous, journalist, killed on 27 October 
29. Nazmi Al-Nadim, deputy director of finance and administration for Palestine TV, killed on 30 October
30. Majd Kashkou, media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October 
31. Imad Wahidi, media worker for Palestine TV, killed on 31 October
32. Majd Fadl Arandas, journalist for news website Al-Jamahir, killed on 1 November 
33. Mohammed Abu Hatab, correspondent for Palestine TV, killed on 2 November 
34. Mohammed Bayyari, journalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 2 November
35. Iyad Matar, journalist, killed on 2 November
36. Mohammed Al Jajeh, Press House, killed on 6 November 
37. Mohammad Abu Hasira, correspondent for WAFA news agency, body found under the rubble on 7 November 
38. Yahya Abu Munie, journalist for Al Aqsa radio, killed on 7 November
39. Ahmed Al-Qara, photojournalist, killed on 10 November
40. Mousa Al Barsh, executive director of Namaa Radio, killed on 12 November
41. Ahmed Fatmah, photographer for Al Qahera News, killed on 13 November
42. Mahmoud Matar, freelance journalist, killed on 15 November
43. Moseab Ashour, photographer, killed on 18 November
44. Mustafa Al-Sawaf, journalist and writer, killed on 18 November
45. Amr Abu Haya, media worker in Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November
46. Saary Mansour, director of Quds News Network, killed on 18 November
47. Hasouned Isleem, freelance photographer, killed on 18 November
48. Bilal Jadallah, director general of media development organisation Press House, killed on 19 November
49. Abdelhalim Awad, driver for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 18 November  
50. Ayat Al-Khaddura, digital and broadcaster journalist, killed on 20 November 
51. Jamal Hanieh, editor at Amwaj Sports Media Network, killed on 21 November 
52. Mohamad Nabil Al-Zaq, journalist for Quds TV, killed on 22 November
53. Assem Al-Barsh, journalist for Palestinian Al-Ray radio, killed on 22 November
54. Muhammad Moin Ayyash, photojournalist, killed on 23 November
55. Amal Zahed, journalist, killed on 24 November
56. Mustafa Bakir, journalist, killed on 24 November
57. Nader Al-Nazli, technician for Palestine TV, killed on 25 November
58. Abdallah Darwish, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 1 December
59. Muntaser Al-Sawaf, photographer for Anadolu Agency, killed on 1 December
60. Adham Hassouna, freelance journalist, killed on 1 December
61. Hassan Farajallah, executive at Al Quds TV, killed on 3 December
62. Ala Atallah, journalist, killed on 9 December
63. Mohamed Abu Samra, photojournalist, killed on 9 December
64. Abdul Karim Odeh, journalist and former Al-Mayadeen correspondent, killed on 13 December
65. Samer Abu Daqqa, cameraman for Al Jazeera Arabic, killed on 15 December
66. Haneen Ali Al-Qashtan, journalist for Sawt Al Watan Radio, killed on 17 December 
67. Abdallah Alwan, media worker for Al Jazeera owned platform Midan, killed on 18 December 
68. Mohammad Nasser Abu Hweidy, photojournalist for Al Istiqlal newspaper, killed on 22 December
69. Ahmad Jamal Madhoun, deputy director at Al Rai news agency, killed on 23 December
70. Mohammad Saidi (Khalifa), directo ar Al Aqsa TV, killed on 24 December
71. Mohammad Abdul Khaleq Al Ghuf, photojournalist for Al Rai news agency, killed on 24 December
72. Huthaifa Lulu, broadcast engineer at Prisoners Radio, who previously worked for Al Quds TV, killed on 24 December
73. Mohammad Khair Al Din, archiving officer at Al Aqsa TV, killed on 28 December
74. Ahmad Khair Al Din, photojournalist for Al Aqsa TV, killed on 28 December
75. Jaber Abu Hedrous, correspondent for Al-Quds TV, killed on 29 December
76. Akram Al Shafei, correspondent for Safa News Agency, killed on 5 January
77. Hamza Al-Dahdouh, journalist for Al Jazeera, killed on 7 January
78. Mustafa Thuraya, freelance videographer for Agence France Presse, killed on 7 January

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. Our intention is 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 its 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. 

To donate to the IFJ Safety Fund, click here.