Apart from the horrific death toll among Palestinian journalists in Gaza, which according to PJS’ data amounts to 102 journalists and other media workers killed, the report sheds light on attacks against journalists and media rights violations in a time of hardships for Palestinian journalists. Throughout last year, 23 journalists were attacked by rocket fragments causing critical wounds, and 13 of them were seriously injured and disabled. Besides, several journalists are in need of medical treatmentthat is not available as a result of the Israeli war in Gaza, in some cases this extreme situation poses a threat to their lives.
Among the violations documented by PJS, it is alarming that Israel has arrested 58 Palestinian journalists since 7 October in the West Bank and Gaza, in some cases storming their homes, confiscating their professional equipment and assaulting journalists’ family members. The majority of the arrested journalists are still held without trial.
The report highlighted the enforced disappearance oftwo journalists, Nidal Al-Wahidi from Al-Najah TV station and Haitham Abdel Wahed from Ain Media agency, who had been missing since the early hours of Hamas attack, are unaccounted for.
Besides, it states that 80 press and media institutions were targeted by Israeli bombing, being totally or partially destroyed in Gaza, and nine printing houses in the West Bank were stormed and their content seized.
The Syndicate also monitored 49 attacks and 23 threats by Israeli settlers against Palestinian journalists, noting that some of the incidents occurred in presence of the Israeli army.
PJS President Nasser Abu Baker said: “Palestinian journalists have proven a legendary steadfastness in the war of genocide that was launched against them, as they continued the coverage, believing in the importance and highness of their message in conveying the truth [...] The PJS will continue its efforts to support and protect journalists and address the international judiciary and the International Criminal Court to ensure Palestinian journalists’ access to justice and to hold the perpetrators of crimes against them accountable.”
IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson welcomed the extraordinary work carried out by PJS documenting killings and journalists’ rights violations in Palestine in such difficult circumstances. “Palestinian journalists in Gaza are the only ones standing between the truth and a total media blackout. Without their work, the world would not bear witness to these atrocities. The International Criminal Court must investigate the crimes against Palestinian journalists, most of whom believe that they are being deliberately targeted, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Read the PJS annual report in English here.