CPJ: 19 journalists killed and 8 injured in clashes between Israel and Gaza

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that at least 19 journalists have been killed, 8 wounded and 3 missing in attacks between Israel and Gaza since 7 October. Journalists in Gaza are particularly at high risk as they try to cover the conflict in the face of Israel’s ground offensive, devastating airstrikes, communications blackouts, and extensive power cuts, CPJ said.

According to CPJ, 15 of the 19 journalists killed were Palestinians, three were Israelis, and one was Lebanese. Eight journalists were wounded in the attacks, and three others are missing or detained. CPJ added that it is also investigating numerous unconfirmed reports that other journalists have been killed, disappeared, detained, injured, or threatened, and that media offices and journalists’ homes have been damaged.

CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said journalists are civilians who perform vital work in times of crisis and should not be targeted by warring parties. Mansour continued: “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All sides must take steps to ensure their safety.” CPJ released a list of names of journalists killed, wounded, and missing, saying it had obtained the information from sources in the region and from media reports. CPJ updates the list regularly.

A few days ago, footage emerged of Israeli police threatening a reporter on live television. Ahmad Darawsha, a reporter for the Alaraby Television Network, was reporting live from Ashdod, Israel, when a police officer approached him and asked what he was saying. Darawsha said he was saying what the Israeli army was doing, and was threatened by the policeman, who said ‘you better be saying good things’. The policeman then stands right in front of the camera and says: “Detestable! We’ll turn Gaza into dust! Dust, dust, dust”.