Death rate among journalists in Gaza much higher than other professions: Reporters group

ISTANBUL

Journalists covering Israel’s 10-month-old offensive on Gaza are dying at a rate far higher than that of other professions, suggesting they are being deliberately targeted by the Israeli military, according to a respected journalists group.

"The mortality rate among journalists is much, much higher than in other civilian professions. Indeed with more than 12% of Gazan journalists dead, it's a mortality rate that would be unusually high for infantry soldiers," Tim Dawson, deputy general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), told Anadolu.

On Aug. 10, two journalists – Tamim Ahmed Abu Muammer from Palestine Television and Abdullah Mahir al-Susi from Al-Aqsa Channel – were killed in Israeli attacks, adding to the rising toll of press casualties in the Gaza conflict.

Dawson said Israel's actions violate both international humanitarian law and the laws of war.

"Since the conflict started, over 100 journalists have lost their lives. My figures put it at about 120 but there are different ways of measuring, and some people put it significantly higher."

He also highlighted Israel's advanced surveillance and targeting systems, such as Lavender, Gospell, and Pegasus, which raise concerns about intentional targeting.

"We know that the Israeli (army) has very sophisticated software that can track people down, that can program drones to deliver death to a very particular address," Dawson said.

Beyond the killings, Dawson criticized Israel’s media censorship in Gaza, calling it "an attempt to control the narrative."

"They excluded foreign reporters from Gaza. Foreign reporters have petitioned again and again to be allowed in and have been refused. We know that the Israeli government has made life difficult for newspapers that take a slightly different view to their own about the ongoing conflict."

He also said foreign journalists have been repeatedly denied entry, and platforms like Al Jazeera have been expelled from Israel.

Further, Dawson emphasized the need for unrestricted media access to Gaza and support for journalists working under dangerous conditions.

He noted that the IFJ has filed complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that Israel's targeting of journalists may constitute war crimes.

Dawson stressed the importance of a thorough international investigation to hold those responsible accountable.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of 168 journalists, including professionals from various nationalities.

Notable casualties include Anadolu Agency photojournalist Ali Jadallah, whose family was killed in an attack on his home, and freelance cameraman Muntasir al-Sawaf, who was killed in an airstrike.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi