With a journalist or media worker killed every day on average in the Israel-Hamas war, the head of the global organization representing the profession said Monday that it has become a conflict beyond compare. About 67 have been killed since the Oct. 7 start of the war, already close to the same number of journalists killed during the entire Vietnam War half a century ago. Other brutal wars in the Middle East have not come close to the intensity of the current one.
Quick Read
- Unprecedented journalist fatalities in Israel-Hamas war: According to the International Federation of Journalists, an average of one journalist or media worker is being killed each day in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, making it a conflict of unparalleled intensity for the media profession.
- Comparison with past conflicts: Around 67 journalists have been killed since the war’s inception on Oct. 7, nearing the total journalist fatalities of the Vietnam War. This rate of loss is significantly higher than other recent Middle Eastern conflicts.
- Comments from Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary: Bellanger highlighted the unprecedented nature of this conflict in terms of journalist casualties, comparing it to wars in Syria, Iraq, and the former Yugoslavia.
- Continued casualties despite cease-fire: The brief cessation of hostilities in Gaza did not halt the fatalities, with reports of additional journalist deaths following the end of the cease-fire.
- Nationalities of the journalists killed: The majority of the journalists killed were Palestinian, with Israeli and Lebanese journalists also among the fatalities. Most deaths occurred during Israel’s bombardment in Gaza, and some Israeli journalists were killed during Hamas’ initial attack in southern Israel.
- Impact on media infrastructure: The conflict has led to the destruction of numerous media organization premises in Gaza, severely impacting the journalistic landscape.
- Local journalists’ resilience: Despite personal losses and challenging conditions, local journalists in Gaza continue to work, often without basic necessities or safety.
- Lack of response from Israeli authorities: Bellanger reported that attempts to engage with Israeli officials for discussions have been unsuccessful.
- Israel’s stance on civilian casualties: Israel asserts that it endeavors to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of endangering civilians by operating in residential areas.
- White House’s commitment to journalist safety: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of protecting journalists on the ground.
- International Criminal Court (ICC) involvement: The IFJ and Reporters Without Borders have requested the ICC to investigate journalist deaths. ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who has visited the area, is investigating actions dating back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, including current war crimes allegations.
- Israel’s position on ICC jurisdiction: Israel argues against the ICC’s jurisdiction, stating that the Palestinian territories do not constitute an independent sovereign state, and Israel is not a member of the ICC. Khan has urged Israel to adhere to international law and labeled Hamas’ initial attack as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
- Outlook from Bellanger: Despite the grim situation, Bellanger, as the head of a global journalism network, maintains a stance of cautious optimism for the future.
The Associated Press has the story:
Global Journalist group: Mideast conflict is a war beyond compare for media deaths
Newslooks- BRUSSELS (AP)
With a journalist or media worker killed every day on average in the Israel-Hamas war, the head of the global organization representing the profession said Monday that it has become a conflict beyond compare.
About 67 have been killed since the Oct. 7 start of the war, already close to the same number of journalists killed during the entire Vietnam War half a century ago. Other brutal wars in the Middle East have not come close to the intensity of the current one.
“In a war, you know, a classical war, I can say that in Syria, in Iraq, in ex-Yugoslavia, we didn’t see this kind of massacre,” Anthony Bellanger, the general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, told The Associated Press.
And since the end of the weeklong cease-fire in Gaza on Friday, the misery has continued, he said: “Unfortunately, we received the bad news this weekend — after the end of this cease-fire — and at least three or four were killed.”
Bellanger said they are mourning around 60 journalists, including at least 51 Palestinian ones and also Israeli and Lebanese. Most were killed during Israel’s bombardment in the Gaza Strip. He said Israeli journalists were also killed during Hamas’ attack in southern Israel that set off the war.
He said those numbers are based on all available sources that the federation uses for its annual report.
Along with the human toll, the premises of many media organizations in Gaza have been destroyed, he said. He estimated there were about 1,000 journalists and media workers in Gaza before the conflict and said that now, no one can get out.
And yet amid the rubble, local journalists continue to do their job, said Nasser Abu Baker, president of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate.
“They lost their families and they continue their work,” he said. “They are without houses and they continue their work. … Without food, without the security for them, without their families. Also, if their families are still alive, they are not with their families because they are living or sleeping in the hospitals.”
Bellanger said Israeli authorities were not responsive.
“I called the Israeli government, but they didn’t reply. And when I went to Palestine a few days ago, I proposed to the government press office to have a meeting, just to have a follow-up about this call. But nobody replies,” he said.
Israel has said it makes every effort to avoid killing civilians and accuses Hamas of putting them at risk by operating in residential areas.
“We want to make sure that journalists are protected. What they’re doing on the ground is critical,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told the AP.
The IFJ and Reporters Without Borders have called on International Criminal Court prosecutors to investigate the deaths of journalists and media workers, and ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has visited the area.
The ICC’s prosecution office is already investigating the actions of Israeli and Palestinian authorities dating back to the Israel-Hamas war in 2014. The probe can also consider allegations of crimes committed during the current war.
Khan has called on Israel to respect international law but stopped short of accusing the country of war crimes. He called Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Israel argues the ICC has no jurisdiction in the conflict because the Palestinian territories are not an independent sovereign state. Israel isn’t a party to the treaty that underpins the ICC and is not one of its 123 member states.
Bellanger didn’t see sudden change on the ground coming soon but said that as the chief of the global journalism network, “I don’t have the right to be pessimistic.”
