Death rate among journalists in Gaza much higher than other professions: Reporters group
ISTANBUL (AA) – Journalists in Gaza are dying at a rate far higher than other professionals, suggesting they are being deliberately targeted.
“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) said.
On August 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.
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.
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