Since October 7, 2023, the Committee to Protect Journalists has been documenting an unprecedented pattern of violence and repression against Palestinian journalists. The attached document provides a summarized account of these findings across the Occupied Palestinian Territory through April 25, 2026.
It outlines what CPJ assesses as the deadliest period for journalists ever recorded, with at least 207 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed in Gaza. It highlights evidence that at least 32 of these individuals were deliberately targeted in direct reprisal for their work, while noting that the true number of targeted killings may be significantly higher due to ongoing verification challenges and the destruction of evidence.
Beyond fatalities, the document compiles a broader pattern of violations against journalists. These include the systematic labeling of journalists as “terrorists” without substantiated evidence, the use of drone strikes in killings that suggest precise targeting, and incidents where clearly marked press personnel were struck despite visible identification. It also documents cases of journalists dying in custody, widespread arbitrary detention without charge, and consistent testimonies of torture and abuse during detention.
The document further examines structural restrictions on press freedom, including a near-total ban on independent international media access to Gaza, censorship measures affecting both local and foreign outlets, and retaliatory actions against journalists for their reporting. It also addresses the lack of accountability, emphasizing what CPJ identifies as a systemic failure by Israeli authorities to investigate alleged violations or pursue legal action in documented cases.
Find the document attached here.