Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has once again placed Israel at the top of its annual list of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists, marking the third consecutive year the organization has recorded an unparalleled number of media professionals killed in connection with Israeli military actions. The report paints an increasingly alarming picture of press freedoms in conflict zones, where journalists continue to face unprecedented dangers amid military operations in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to RSF’s latest findings, the overwhelming majority of journalists killed in 2024 were Palestinians reporting from within Gaza. The organization notes that Israel’s expansive military campaign, heavy bombardments, and restrictions on civilian movement have created conditions that make it nearly impossible for journalists to operate safely. Many were killed while covering frontline developments, while others died along with their families in strikes on residential areas.
The RSF statement emphasized that Israel has shown “an exceptional level of disregard for the safety of journalists,” noting repeated instances where reporters were targeted despite wearing clearly identifiable press vests. The organization highlighted several documented cases in which journalists had shared their coordinates with Israeli authorities as part of established safety protocols, but were nonetheless struck during military operations.
In addition to fatalities, RSF expressed concern about the systematic obstruction of reporting. This includes tight restrictions on foreign press entering Gaza, the shutdown of broadcasting signals in certain areas, and the detention of Palestinian journalists without charge. RSF argues that these practices collectively amount to a deliberate effort to suppress independent reporting from the conflict zone.
The Israeli government disputes these accusations, maintaining that it does not target journalists and that casualties are an unfortunate consequence of Hamas’s alleged use of civilian infrastructure. RSF says such statements fail to justify the scale of journalist deaths, noting that international humanitarian law grants special protections to media workers, who must not be treated as combatants.
Press-freedom groups warn that the situation in Gaza has broader implications for global journalism. With local reporters facing deadly risks, the world has become heavily dependent on a shrinking number of Palestinian journalists who continue to relay information despite personal danger, limited resources, and widespread communications blackouts. RSF described their work as “indispensable and heroic.”
The report calls on the international community to pressure Israel to comply with international humanitarian obligations and ensure accountability for attacks on journalists. It also urges governments and media organizations to enhance support for reporters working in conflict zones through training, protective equipment, and rapid-response mechanisms.
As the conflict continues, RSF’s findings underscore a grim reality: journalism in Gaza remains one of the most dangerous professions on earth. For the third year in a row, Israel stands as the deadliest country for journalists — a distinction RSF says reflects a deepening crisis for press freedom and the public’s right to information.
