Two Palestinian journalists lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Monday, further escalating concerns over the dangers faced by media professionals in Gaza. Hossam Shabat, known for documenting the humanitarian impact of the war in northern Gaza, was hit while working in Beit Hanoun. Earlier in the day, Mohammad Mansour, a seasoned photojournalist, was killed while filming in Khan Younis.

Press freedom groups have condemned the deaths, warning of an alarming trend in journalist casualties. The killings come as Gaza remains cut off from foreign press, leaving local journalists as the primary sources of on-the-ground reporting.

Rising Death Toll Among Journalists

The latest attacks bring the total number of journalists killed by Israeli strikes to 208, according to Palestinian sources. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had recorded 170 journalist deaths as of March 21, indicating a rapid increase. While Israel's military has not commented on the latest strikes, it has consistently denied targeting journalists, asserting that operations focus on Hamas militants and accusing them of operating near civilian infrastructure.

However, press freedom advocates argue that the scale of journalist deaths—surpassing 200 since October 2023—suggests a broader pattern of suppression. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Gaza’s Government Media Office have reported varying death tolls, but all figures indicate that the war has been the deadliest for media workers in modern history.

Background: The Deadliest War for Journalists

The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has resulted in unprecedented casualties among journalists. With Israel maintaining a blockade that prevents foreign reporters from entering Gaza, local journalists like Shabat and Mansour have remained the only direct sources of information from the war zone—often at grave personal risk.

Shabat had survived an earlier airstrike in November 2024, while Mansour was widely recognized for his coverage of civilian suffering in Gaza. Their deaths have renewed calls for international investigations, with South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) highlighting concerns over potential war crimes.

Global Condemnation and Calls for Accountability

• CPJ and IFJ Statements: Press freedom groups have condemned the rising journalist death toll and called for independent investigations.
• Legal Actions: Ongoing international legal cases, including genocide allegations against Israel at the ICJ, cite media worker casualties as part of broader human rights violations.
• Israel’s Position: While the IDF denies targeting journalists, critics argue that the sheer scale of fatalities suggests an attempt to control the war’s narrative by eliminating local press.

As the conflict continues, journalists in Gaza remain at extreme risk, with advocates warning that the targeting of media workers threatens both press freedom and the international community’s ability to document events on the ground.