Thu Dec 19 10:03:58 UTC 2024: ## Gaza Journalists Face Perilous Conditions Reporting on Conflict

**London, December 19, 2024** – At least 141 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since October 7, 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Many are young, local reporters who have become the primary source of information from Gaza, as Israel has restricted the entry of foreign journalists. Their work comes at an immense personal risk.

These journalists face constant bombardment, airstrikes, and targeted drone attacks. They struggle with starvation, homelessness, and a lack of basic necessities, all while attempting to report on the devastating conflict. The accounts of their experiences paint a harrowing picture of life under siege.

Salman al-Bashir, a journalist with the Palestinian Authority’s TV channel, described the anguish of reporting on his colleague’s death, stating, “We are victims on live TV.” The story of 18-year-old Al Hassan Hamad, shot dead by the Israeli army while reporting, highlights the extreme youth and vulnerability of many of those killed. His father recounted finding only a few kilograms of his son’s remains after an Israeli missile attack.

Al Jazeera journalists Samer Abu Daqqa and Wael Al Dahdouh were killed while covering an Israeli bombing of a UN school. Al Dahdouh tragically lost his wife, two other children, and a grandson earlier in the war, and described the heart-wrenching experience of reporting on his own family’s deaths.

The Israeli army has been accused of deliberately targeting media outlets, including the bombing of the Al-Ghefari tower, which housed several news agencies, despite prior notification of its location. While Israel denies allegations of targeted killings, numerous instances indicate that journalists, often wearing press vests and helmets, have been killed or detained. Reporters Without Borders reports that 38 journalists are currently held in custody. The death toll for women journalists alone is reported to be at least 26.

Despite the immense risks and personal tragedies, Palestinian journalists remain committed to reporting the truth. Hind Khoudary, an Al Jazeera journalist, highlighted the unwavering dedication of her colleagues, emphasizing their mutual support and resilience amid the devastation. Bisan Owda, another journalist, uses her platform to share the stories of Gazans rebuilding their lives, while Mahmoud Bassam, a photojournalist, emphasizes their determination to continue reporting despite the ongoing conflict. Their stories underscore the bravery and sacrifice of those risking their lives to document the reality of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

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