In the conflict between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has had a devastating impact on the region, journalists have become an extremely vulnerable category, warns the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In the first six days of fighting, at least ten journalists were killed, according to the organization.
The conflict in Israel erupted following an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, and according to the CPJ, in the first six days of fighting, at least ten journalists were killed, two were missing and two others were wounded. In the same period, the conflict resulted in the deaths of at least 2,700 people on both sides and the injuries of thousands more.
Representatives of the CPJ, which investigates reports about journalists killed, injured, arrested or missing in the context of the conflict, sound the alarm that journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks while trying to report on events, amid repeated Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications and extensive power outages. By October 12, nine Palestinian journalists and one Israeli were confirmed dead.
The list published by the CPJ includes information obtained from sources in the region and is regularly updated.
“The CPJ points out that journalists are civilians doing important work in times of crisis and should not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator. “Millions of people around the world rely on reporters in the region to gain access to accurate information about the conflict. Journalists, like all other civilians, must be respected and protected,” he said.