Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?

Short answer: No. Independent monitors have not found that most Gaza journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were tied to terrorist groups. After a months‑long audit completed on September 24, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it reviewed 229 deaths, removed 22 names (reinstating six and reclassifying 12), and reiterated that anyone engaged in combat is excluded from its data; news coverage of the review reported that 19 of the removals were militants or combat participants—far from a majority.[1]

Where the “majority” claim comes from: Israeli authorities and an Israeli research center say many of those presented as “journalists/media personnel” were actually operatives or affiliated with armed groups—for example, an IDF dossier asserting 170 such cases and a Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center study claiming about 60% when counting a broader list that includes “media workers” and treats employment at Hamas‑run outlets as organizational affiliation. These assertions have not been independently verified by neutral press‑freedom groups.[2]

CPJ’s June 25, 2026 interim update also noted eight earlier removals as Hamas/PIJ combatants and put its working tally then at 209, underscoring that only a subset—not a majority—were found to be militants.[3]