Journalist Deaths in 2024, with Israel’s Military at the Forefront

Press Vehicle Destroyed by the Israeli Militia Photo: @elpais

December 26, 2024 Hour: 6:44 pm

A staggering total of 165 journalists were killed in 2024 while carrying out their duties or as a direct consequence of their work, according to the annual report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Thursday. Of these tragic losses, 130 journalists were reported to have been killed by the Israeli military, predominantly in Gaza.

The RSF report highlights that “Israeli armed forces are responsible” for the deaths of eighteen journalists in just the last month alone, with sixteen fatalities occurring in Gaza and two in Lebanon. The organization emphasizes that “Palestine has become the most dangerous place in the world for journalists,” accumulating the highest number of journalist deaths over the past five years.

In light of these alarming statistics, RSF has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the Israeli military of committing “war crimes against journalists.” The report details that “more than 145 journalists” have lost their lives at the hands of the Israeli military since October 2023 in Gaza, with “at least 35 killed while performing their work.” RSF condemns this situation as “an unprecedented massacre.”

Additionally, a separate report issued by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on December 23 indicated that globally, 104 journalists were murdered in 2024, with more than half of those deaths occurring in Gaza. This data underscores a troubling trend regarding press freedom and safety for journalists operating in conflict zones.

As international attention turns to these grave violations against media professionals, calls for accountability and protection for journalists continue to grow. The ongoing violence against reporters not only threatens their lives but also undermines the fundamental principles of free expression and access to information worldwide.

The global community must respond decisively to ensure that those who risk their lives to inform others are protected and that justice is served for those who have been unjustly silenced.