Israel-Gaza war has not only become a humanitarian tragedy but also the deadliest conflict in journalism history. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, more journalists have lost their lives than in the American Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Yugoslav Wars, and the Afghanistan War after 9/11 combined. This shocking statistic comes from a recent report highlighting the alarming violence against journalists in Gaza.
Israel-Gaza war, Graveyards for Journalists
According to Brown University’s “Costs of War” report titled News Graveyards: How Dangers to War Reporters Endanger the World, stated that at least 232 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza as of March 26, 2025. This staggering number has led to the conflict being labeled as “the worst war for journalists.” In comparison, 69 journalists were killed across both World Wars, while 63 died in the Vietnam War. However, in less than 18 months, the number in Gaza has far surpassed all previous records. The report also notes that in 2023, a journalist was killed every four days on average, and in 2024, this rate increased to one journalist every three days.
Local journalists have been the biggest victims of this violence. Most of those killed in Gaza were residents reporting from their own communities. Many lost their lives in airstrikes—some at work, others at home with their families. For example, in December 2023, Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abudaka and his colleague Wael Dahdouh were attacked; Dahdouh was injured, while Abudaka was trapped and later died. This incident intensified concerns worldwide about journalists’ safety.
Local Journalists Targeted by Israeli government
The report accuses the Israeli government of waging a relentless war on the press. Independent foreign correspondents are almost entirely banned from entering Gaza, forcing local journalists to bear the responsibility of informing the world. However, these journalists are not only facing violence but also repeated threats and attacks. Al Jazeera reporter Anas Jamal Al-Sharif reported that his house was targeted and his father was killed after he refused an Israeli order to stop working in northern Gaza.
Israel has consistently rejected calls to allow independent press access to Gaza. Only Israel Defense Forces (IDF)-controlled tours are permitted, restricting unbiased reporting. This blockade of information has put local journalists in extreme danger as they risk their lives to reveal the truth.
A Global Threat to Journalists
The report warns that the violence against journalists in Gaza is part of a larger global crisis. Since the early 2000s, threats to journalists in conflict zones have intensified. National governments and militant groups—including Israel, Syria’s Assad regime, the U.S., and ISIS—have employed various tactics to restrict war coverage. These include repressive policies and armed attacks, fostering a culture of impunity. Regions like Gaza and Syria have become “news graveyards,” where local journalists suffer the most.
With fewer Western foreign correspondents reporting from war zones, the risks have been “outsourced” to local journalists. These journalists work with minimal pay and resources yet face extreme violence. This not only impacts news coverage but also threatens the global information ecosystem.
Silence from the International Community
Despite this dire situation, the international response has been inadequate. UN experts have raised concerns over the killing, attacks, and detention of journalists in Gaza, but no concrete action has been taken. Organizations like Reporters Without Borders have accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists, which constitutes a war crime. However, no effective steps have been taken to stop the violence.
