Analysis Journalists Targeted: Israel Blocks Foreign Reporters in Gaza

[CharlieH]

 

 

 

 

In a dual campaign, Israel is pursuing both military and narrative control in Gaza.

Reporters and influencers documenting the devastation face silencing efforts despite international law supposedly protecting them. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) cites Gaza as the world's most dangerous location for the press, with over 180 Palestinian journalists killed in 22 months.

 

Though targeting journalists is illegal, CPJ reports 26 have been murdered, including the recent killing of 28-year-old Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif. He died with four colleagues in a makeshift newsroom near a hospital, raising significant concern among press freedom advocates.

 

These killings are perceived as part of an intimidation campaign aimed at halting critical reporting. Israel argues these journalists were undercover Hamas operatives, using these claims to gain international support. However, international media have been largely barred from independent reporting in Gaza, with only a few allowed under strict Israeli military protocols.

 

Jodie Ginsberg, CPJ's chief executive, claims this lack of international access, combined with attacks on media facilities and punitive measures against outlets like Haaretz, indicates a deliberate strategy to conceal the truth about Gaza. An incident, where a BBC crew was restricted from filming devastation while delivering humanitarian aid, underscores this tactic.

 

Amid these constraints, local journalists' efforts are crucial. Sharif went viral after an emotional report on starvation, only to face unfounded militant accusations from an Israeli military spokesperson. The CPJ warned these accusations effectively sanctioned his assassination. Sharif, aware of the danger, wrote before his death: "If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me."

 

Israel presented documents purportedly linking Sharif to Hamas, but these ended in 2021, two years before the current conflict. Critics argue such claims are implausible, especially given the highly surveilled nature of Gaza. Similar documents portraying another journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, as a militant from a young age, reflect pressure on Israel from western allies to appear compliant with international law.

 

Despite global condemnation, Israel has yet to explain the killings of Sharif’s colleagues, who were protected as civilians. Ginsberg fears this could be a chilling warning of escalated risks. "Their lack of justification shows they're admitting to murders," she said, worried about future threats to journalists.

 

Veteran French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu, who gained rare access to Gaza, expressed shock at the situation and perceived attempts to suppress reporting. He described conditions as unparalleled, revealing the stark reality Israel seeks to obscure.

 

The international community remains concerned over this systematic silencing of voices in Gaza. The safety of journalists continues to be a pressing issue, with urgent calls for protection and accountability. Reporters Without Borders and other organisations are calling for an independent investigation into these killings to ensure justice and reinforce journalists' rights worldwide.

 

The situation paints a grim picture of press freedom under threat in conflict zones, highlighting the need for robust international measures to safeguard those who risk their lives to report the truth.

 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Guardian 2025-08-12