The Israel-Gaza conflict has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched a retaliation campaign against Israel on October 7 and Israel declared war on the Palestinian group, launching strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip, the Committee to Protect Journalists has said in a statement.
CPJ on Wednesday said it was investigating all reports of journalists killed, injured, detained or missing in the war, including those hurt as hostilities spread to neighbouring Lebanon.
“As of October 17, at least 17 journalists were among the more than 4,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7.
“Journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks as they try to cover the conflict in the face of a ground assault by Israeli troops, devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications and extensive power outages.”
As of October 17, 17 journalists were confirmed dead: 13 Palestinian, three Israeli and one Lebanese, reads the statement.
Meanwhile, eight journalists were reported injured and three were reported missing or detained, according to the organization.
CPJ said it was also investigating unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing, detained, hurt or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.
“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. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All parties must take steps to ensure their safety.”
However, it was unclear whether all of the journalists had been covering the conflict at the time of their deaths, CPJ said, adding that it had included them in “our count as we investigate their circumstances.”
ad been covering the conflict at the time of their deaths, CPJ said, adding that it had included them in “our count as we investigate their circumstances.”
