Israeli Forces Account for a Third of Journalists Killed in 2024

Thursday 12 December 2024 - 13:29

In its annual report, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that 54 journalists worldwide were killed in 2024, with Israeli armed forces responsible for one-third of these deaths. The report indicates that 18 journalists were killed by Israeli forces—16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon.

Palestine, particularly Gaza, has become the most perilous region for journalists, with the highest death toll in the past five years. Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, RSF claims that over 145 journalists have been killed, with 35 of them on assignment when they lost their lives. RSF described these killings as an "unprecedented bloodbath."

The organization has filed complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes by the Israeli military against journalists. Despite Israel’s denials of intentionally targeting journalists, the Israeli government acknowledges that some journalists have been killed in air strikes on military sites.

The figures reported by RSF and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) differ slightly due to differing methodologies. The IFJ's report, which also documented 104 journalist deaths in 2024, states that more than half of these occurred in Gaza.

Aside from Gaza, other countries with high journalist fatalities include Pakistan (7 deaths), Bangladesh, and Mexico (5 deaths each). This year, the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide has increased to 550, compared to 513 in 2023. China, Myanmar, and Israel hold the highest numbers of detained journalists. Additionally, 55 journalists are currently being held hostage, with nearly half of them in the hands of the Islamic State.

In a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by the press, 95 journalists are reported missing, including four new cases in 2024. The year 2024 has seen a grim increase in both the death toll and the number of journalists facing extreme risks while pursuing their work.