Gaza-Israel: Journalist casualties rise as bombardment goes on

LONDON: The number of journalists killed or injured in the Gaza-Israeli conflict has risen sharply since Hamas carried out its unprecedented attack against Israel on Oct. 7, with Israel declaring war on the Palestinian militant group and launching strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

As of Thursday, the tally of media professionals killed, wounded or reported missing in the conflict had reached 12, most of whom are Palestinian.

The media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists has urged both sides in the conflict to commit to the safety of journalists and media professionals.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.

“Millions across the world are counting on reporters in the region to provide accurate information about the conflict. Journalists, like all civilians, must be respected and protected.”

In the first six days of fighting, at least eight journalists were killed, two were listed missing, and two were injured.

The Palestinian enclave’s press office named the victims as Said Al-Tavil, Muhammed Subh, Hisham en-Nawacihe, Ibrahim Lafi, Muhammed Cergun, Muhammed es-Salihi, Esad Shemlah and Selame Mime.

Two other journalists, Nidal Al-Vahidi and Heysem Abdulvahid, were said to be missing.

The houses of three journalists were completely destroyed, and at least 40 media outlets were hit in the airstrikes, the press office said.

While Israel remains relatively safe for many foreign journalists, Gaza-based reporters are at greater risk given the intensity of airstrikes from Israel.

A total of 67 journalists and other media workers were killed worldwide in 2022, according to the CPJ.

This was the highest number of journalist killings since 2018, as reporters risked their lives to cover the war in Ukraine and were targeted for their work in Latin America, it said.