1 year of Gaza genocide: Israeli war deadliest in decades for journalists, says journo federation chief

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) — The plight of journalists in Gaza has never been as dire as it is now, killed in unprecedented numbers since Israel launched its deadly offensive on the enclave a year ago.

In the final hours of the ongoing assault's first year, an Israeli munition struck the home of freelancer cameraman Hassan Hamad in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza. Hamad's death added his name to dozens more media workers killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, a list far longer than that of any other conflict in recent decades.

"There is no comparison possible," Dominique Pradalie, president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), told Anadolu, emphasizing that fewer journalists had perished even in World War II and the Vietnam War. In Gaza, media professionals are facing the dual tragedy of their colleagues' death and the restrictions that Israel has imposed on the international media hampering reporting efforts.

"We never in our life at the International Federation of Journalists were thinking such a terrible catastrophe for journalists could happen," Pradalie said, adding that the occupying Israeli government is well aware of the two "catastrophes" but is unwilling to act. "And, it is against all international laws," she said.

The future of journalism will be bleak if meaningful action is not taken, Pradalie warned, adding that 2023 had been the "worst" year on record for journalists. "If we can't stop this impunity around the world, there won't be a journalist any longer within a few years."

According to the IFJ's count, at least 139 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Almost all — 129 — are Palestinians, while the toll also includes five Lebanese, four Israelis, and one Syrian. In addition, several have been injured and others are missing.

Meanwhile, recent data from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate shows that 167 journalists have been perished, 193 injured, and 61 detained. Additionally, 88 media institutions have been destroyed since Oct. 7.

Pradalie also paid "big homage" to the Palestinian journalists for their "honest, serious and valuable" coverage to the world, as well as the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate for working day and night to support them. Also deserving praise, she said, is "Palestinian people all together, because this is a genocide which is going on right now, and they do all their best to resist."

- IFJ journalist aid centers

The IFJ has also been directly supporting journalists in Gaza through two aid centers — one in Gaza City and another in the southern area of Khan Younis. Pradalie said the organization is working to set up a third center in the strip to held better protect media workers and their sources, while also providing them with materials and food.

"That's what we are trying with Gaza," she said, emphasizing that the IFJ has faced greater challenges in Gaza than in Ukraine, another warzone. While acknowledging these efforts, she noted that the group's reach was limited. We are just a journalist federation. We cannot do more than what the international (community) or the UN can do."

"The only way to protect journalists is to have a convention against impunity," she emphasized.

- Journalists must be protected

Recent actions against media outlets, such as the raid and closure of Al Jazeera's Ramallah office by Israeli forces, highlight the growing threats to press freedom. Pradalie denounced these actions as violations of international law, compromising journalists' safety and source protection.

"The journalists were exposed outside, and the army kept all material, including their electronic devices, which is really against international laws," she said. "Because the army and everyone who wants to take these electronic devices can know their sources now."

In response, the IFJ will take the matter to international courts, added Pradalie, who urged the international community, including the UN and EU, to end the targting of journalists and civilians and end the war in Gaza.

- IFJ projects against impunity for journalist killings

In collaboration with international legal experts, the IFJ has launched a project aimed at ending the impunity for those responsible for killing journalists, including those who sponsor such acts, Pradalie explained. This initiative is part of a wider effort to pressure democratic nations into supporting the proposal, with the ultimate goal of having it adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Describing the project as "important and concrete," Pradalie noted that it is a direct response to the UN’s 10-year plan for journalist safety, which was reviewed in 2022 in Vienna. Despite its ambitious goals, over 1,000 journalists were killed during that decade, according to UNESCO.

"The plan might be well-written, but in reality, it has achieved nothing concrete," Pradalie stated, pointing to the continued high death toll of journalists globally.

The IFJ’s project outlines three key measures: the creation of an international monitoring system to track press freedom violations, mandatory reporting by countries on their efforts to protect journalists, and the deployment of international investigation teams to probe journalist murders where local governments are unwilling or unable to act.

Founded in 1926, the IFJ represents around 600,000 journalists in 146 countries and remains at the forefront of defending press freedom and those who risk their lives to report the truth.