Israel has long claimed to be the only country in the region that supports press freedom. But this claim was questionable even before the current war. Now, Israel isn’t even trying to hide its actions. On Sunday, it openly killed six journalists who were sheltering in a tent designated for reporters and media workers.
Israel accused one of the journalists—Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif—of being a terrorist. It has not explained why the others were killed. International law is clear: journalists are civilians. Deliberately targeting them is a war crime.
Israel likely believes it can act with impunity. In the 20 years before October 7, Israeli forces killed 20 journalists. No one has ever been held accountable, not even for the killing of Al Jazeera’s Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022, which shocked the region. Abu Akleh, a U.S.-Palestinian citizen, was a well-known figure in the Middle East, just as al-Sharif became familiar for his coverage of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
Israel began threatening al-Sharif early in the war. He reported receiving calls from Israeli officers ordering him to stop reporting and leave northern Gaza, along with WhatsApp messages revealing his location. In December 2023, an Israeli airstrike hit his family home, killing his 90-year-old father.
A year later, Israel publicly labeled al-Sharif a terrorist—a claim it repeated last month after he exposed widespread starvation in Gaza due to Israel’s blockade of aid. An Israeli spokesperson accused him of lying, despite independent reports confirming the famine.
The Committee to Protect Journalists recognized Israel’s pattern: accusing journalists of terrorism without credible proof. We were so concerned about al-Sharif’s safety that we issued a public plea for his protection.
Yet Israel has provided no verifiable evidence that any of the journalists it admits targeting were terrorists. In one case, documents supposedly showed Al Jazeera’s Ismail al-Ghoul leading a Hamas battalion—at age 10. The documents Israel shared about al-Sharif claim he received a Hamas salary in 2023 but offer no proof he was an active member. Israel cited unpublished “current intelligence” to justify his killing.
It’s no surprise Israel now feels bold enough to kill six journalists while admitting only one was its alleged target. The international community’s silence has only emboldened these actions.The response to Israel’s actions has been shockingly weak. In Gaza’s killing fields, journalism is facing its darkest hour – but we will continue to report, no matter what.
This silence extends to our own journalism community. When journalists were killed in Ukraine at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Committee to Protect Journalists received strong support and solidarity. Yet when our colleagues in Gaza were killed at the beginning of this war, the reaction from international media was barely noticeable at best.
In some high-profile cases—like the killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah—a few governments offered hollow statements defending press freedom, but none seriously condemned Israel. Even fewer took meaningful action, such as stopping arms sales or suspending trade agreements, which might have pressured Israel to change its course.
Now, with over 192 journalists and media workers killed—making this the deadliest conflict for journalists we’ve ever recorded—condemnation from individual journalists and some news organizations has grown louder. But if Israel can wipe out an entire news crew without the international community even blinking, what will prevent further attacks on reporters?
Our ability to see what’s happening in Gaza was already shrinking. As Israel escalates its assault, that window risks closing completely.
Jodie Ginsberg is CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists
FAQS
### **FAQs About Israel’s Targeting of Journalists in Gaza**
#### **Basic Questions**
**1. What is the article “Israel is systematically eliminating journalists in Gaza” about?**
The article by Jodi Ginsberg argues that Israel is intentionally killing journalists in Gaza and suggests that these actions are becoming more overt.
**2. Why does the article claim Israel is targeting journalists?**
It points to the high number of journalist deaths in Gaza, along with reports of strikes on media offices and individuals, as evidence of deliberate targeting.
**3. How many journalists have been killed in Gaza?**
As of recent reports, over 100 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict escalated.
**4. Is there proof that Israel is deliberately killing journalists?**
The article cites incidents where journalists were killed despite wearing press insignia and being in known media locations, suggesting intentional attacks.
**5. Why would Israel target journalists?**
Critics argue it’s to control the narrative, suppress reporting on civilian casualties, and limit scrutiny of military actions.
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#### **Intermediate Questions**
**6. Has Israel admitted to targeting journalists?**
No, Israel denies intentionally targeting journalists, often stating that casualties occur in active war zones.
**7. What international laws protect journalists in war zones?**
The Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law protect journalists as civilians, making attacks on them a potential war crime.
**8. Have any investigations confirmed deliberate targeting?**
Groups like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called for independent investigations, but conclusive proof is disputed.
**9. How does Israel justify strikes that kill journalists?**
Israel often claims these were accidental or that the locations were used by militant groups, though evidence is sometimes contested.
**10. What has the UN said about journalist deaths in Gaza?**
The UN has expressed concern over the high death toll and called for accountability, but no formal condemnation has been issued.
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#### **Advanced Questions**
**11. What are the implications if Israel is found guilty of targeting journalists?**
It could lead to war crime charges at the ICC, sanctions, or further diplomatic isolation.
**12. How does this compare to other conflicts where journalists were targeted?**
Similar accusations have been made in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq,
