On World Press Freedom Day: 262 martyrs and 420 wounded
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The Government Media Office in Gaza stated that World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3rd, comes this year amidst an “unprecedented catastrophic reality” for Palestinian journalists, as the Israeli war of extermination continues in the Gaza Strip, transforming journalistic work into a “death-prone mission.”
In a press release, the office explained that 262 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of the war, one of the highest death tolls recorded globally for targeting journalists during conflicts. The office considered this “evidence of a systematic policy to silence the Palestinian voice and prevent the dissemination of truth.”
It added that 50 journalists have been arrested under harsh conditions, while three others remain missing, with concerns for their fate. The statement also noted that more than 420 journalists have sustained injuries of varying severity, including serious injuries resulting in amputations and permanent disabilities.
The statement emphasized that these violations constitute a blatant breach of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, and amount to war crimes that warrant international accountability.
The media office held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for targeting, killing, and arresting journalists. It also accused several countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany, and France, of providing political and military cover for these violations.
The office considered the international silence regarding these crimes a “serious undermining of the international justice system,” and called on the international community, media organizations, and human rights institutions, particularly the International Federation of Journalists and the Federation of Arab Journalists, to take immediate steps to stop the targeting of journalists in Gaza.
It also demanded urgent international protection for media personnel and called for the prosecution of those responsible for these violations before international courts.
