'Israel' killed 194 journalists in Gaza in 2024

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jan 2025 20:10
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The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate documented 64 instances of journalist detentions by IOF in Gaza and the West Bank.

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Relatives and friends mourn over the bodies of five Palestinian journalists who were killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, on December 26, 2024. (AP)

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate announced Sunday that 193 journalists were killed by Israeli occupation forces in the war on Gaza in 2024.

Nasser Abu Bakr, head of the Syndicate, shared this information at the annual Freedom Conference on Sunday at the Syndicate's Ramallah headquarters. The event, titled "A Wounded Voice and a Clearer Image," addressed the difficulties faced by journalists working in Palestine.

Abu Bakr stressed the determination of Palestinian journalists, highlighting that, despite facing violence, including killings, bombings, and destruction, they remained steadfast in their commitment to reporting the truth. He confirmed that the Syndicate would submit its third complaint to the International Criminal Court regarding these attacks on journalists.

Mohammad al-Laham, head of the Syndicate's Freedom Committee, presented the committee's annual report, which urged attention to the toll of attacks on journalists. The report revealed that 86 journalists were injured by live ammunition and rocket shrapnel, with the number of fatalities surpassing the injuries, indicating that all injured journalists had been potential targets.

The report also documented 64 instances of journalist detentions by IOF in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the destruction, partial destruction, or seizure of 54 media institutions. It also reported instances of Israeli forces attempting to run over journalists with military vehicles.

Al-Laham noted a marked rise in incidents of live fire aimed at journalists to intimidate them and obstruct coverage. In 2024, 148 such incidents resulted in injuries, compared to 85 injuries from toxic gas inhalation and tear gas canisters.

The report also highlighted the continued restrictions on journalistic work, including the detention, threats, and kidnapping of journalists, as well as disruptions to press activities through targeted attacks on communication networks and the hacking of Palestinian social media content.

IOF killed 10 Palestinian journalists in December

Earlier this month, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate confirmed that the Israeli occupation continues its systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists, even committing massacres against them, as evidenced by the execution of 10 journalists last December.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, the syndicate’s Freedoms Committee noted that the Israeli occupation forces committed 84 violations, attacks, and crimes against Palestinian journalists last month.

The most prominent occurred in Gaza, where 10 journalists were killed, including five in a brutal massacre while inside a live broadcast vehicle, the statement said.

It added that eight family members of journalists were killed, three journalists’ homes were destroyed, and five journalists sustained severe injuries from shrapnel and gunfire.

The Freedoms Committee documented the detention and prevention of coverage for approximately 20 journalists and crews, the arrest of seven journalists, and gunfire directed at journalists in 11 incidents.

Additionally, 10 journalists were brutally beaten, and three cases involving the destruction and seizing of work equipment were reported in both the West Bank and Gaza.

The statement emphasized that journalists faced numerous forms of aggression, including direct threats with weapons, exposure to toxic tear gas, unjust trials, financial penalties, travel bans, interrogations, and attempted vehicular assaults.