Israel-Hamas war among deadliest conflicts for journalists in recent history
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At least 114 journalists and 14 media workers have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began last October, marking one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in the past three decades, per the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Why it matters: The harsh conditions in Gaza raise the risk for journalists trying to cover the war, and also make it difficult for CPJ and other watchdog groups to fully account for all the journalists impacted.
- CPJ said it's investigating more than 130 other cases, including potential killings, arrests and injuries of journalists and media workers in the region, since the outbreak of the war.
Zoom in: The vast majority of journalists killed in the conflict are Palestinian and have died on a dangerous assignment, per CPJ.
- Most deaths have occurred during bombardments or attacks by military officials.
- Fourteen female journalists have been killed in the conflict, including Wafaa Abu Dabaan, a 28-year-old Palestinian journalist who was five months pregnant with her second child when she and her husband were killed.
- A significant number of journalists killed were photographers or camera operators who helped document conditions in Gaza, where outside press access is scant.
Zoom out: The number of journalists killed is unprecedented, especially when compared to other modern conflicts.
- For context, CPJ reports a total of 16 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Russia-Ukraine war between 2022 and 2024.
Reality check: Journalists are considered civilians under international humanitarian law and should not be directly targeted in attacks.
- Press freedom and humanitarian advocates have put pressure on Israel to cease deadly military operations in Gaza.
What we're watching: The Israel-Hamas war has empowered Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target press operations critical of his administration.
- In May, Israel police officers raided Al Jazeera's Jerusalem bureau and pulled the network off the air in Israel after the Israeli parliament passed a measure forcing the closure of the Qatari-owned news outlet's local office.
- Even before the war, Netanyahu pushed to consolidate power broadly, including introducing new laws to rein in independent media.
