The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) Has released a report titled “Eliminating Witnesses on Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing Crimes in the Gaza Strip”, which addresses the targeting of journalists and media institutions in Gaza by the occupying forces during the genocide on Gaza from October 7, 2023, to August 2024.
The report is divided into two main sections. The first section covers violations by the IOF against journalists and media outlets in Gaza, including crimes against the right to life, physical assaults on journalists, the destruction of media offices and institutions, the arrest and torture of journalists, and cases of journalists who remain missing.
The second section discusses the legal protection of journalists under international humanitarian law, including the protection of media institutions and equipment. The report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at halting violations against journalists and media outlets.
During the ongoing aggression in Gaza, the report recorded the killings of 170 journalists, including 13 female journalists. Most of these journalists (166) were killed in bombings by the IOF, while four others were killed by the IOF snipers. The majority of the deceased (72) were killed along with their families during bombings of their homes or places of refuge. Additionally, 52 journalists were killed in indiscriminate bombing throughout, 24 were killed in direct attacks, and 22 were killed while on duty.
Furthermore, 185 other journalists were injured. The report also documented the destruction of 86 media institutions and offices, including official, partisan, private, and non-governmental organisations. These institutions include television, satellite, and radio stations; broadcast towers; media service offices; and newspaper offices.
The report recorded the arrest of 53 journalists, of whom 16 remain in detention, some having suffered severe torture. It also noted the disappearance of two journalists whose fates remain unknown.
The report highlights case studies of five different incidents involving the killing and injury of journalists while on duty dressed in their press attire, resulting in the deaths of eight journalists and injuries to others.
PCHR was able to document these cases and obtain preliminary information from victims or witnesses. The report also compiles data on casualties, injuries, destroyed institutions, detainees, and missing persons, relying on documentation from other local and international organisations concerned with journalists.
The report concludes that the targeting of journalists, despite their distinctive markings and the known coordinates of their locations and media institutions, indicates a systematic policy of targeting the press. It highlights that the lack of accountability for Israeli war criminals over decades, including the killing of dozens of journalists, even before 7 October, has collectively led the occupying forces to continue to commit more crimes.
The report calls on the international community to publicly condemn the targeting of journalists, to pressure the IOF to cease these attacks immediately, and to work without delay to provide international protection for civilians, including journalists, in Gaza.
It also urges the International Criminal Court’s Prosecutor to expedite practical measures to investigate crimes committed in the State of Palestine, including the killings of journalists who sacrifice their lives to reveal the truth, and to proceed with subsequent steps, especially that victims in Palestine have long awaited justice.
