Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?
Yes, according to detailed analyses by Israeli intelligence researchers and the IDF of the names on Palestinian and international casualty lists, a majority (around 55–60%) of those identified as Gazan journalists or media workers killed since October 7, 2023, had links to terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).[1]
These links include direct membership in military wings/operatives (combatants, commanders, snipers, rocket units, etc.), employment by terror group-affiliated media outlets (e.g., Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV/Radio, Al-Resalah, or PIJ-linked outlets), or clear affiliation/support roles. Some dual-hatted individuals also worked as stringers or freelancers for international outlets like Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, or Anadolu.[2]
Key Findings from Primary Analyses
Hamas and PIJ tightly control Gaza media and propaganda; their outlets function as extensions of the organizations. Captured documents have shown coordinated media strategies for psychological warfare and embedding. Working for or closely with these is treated in the analyses as affiliation.[5]
Context on Totals and Differing Definitions
Casualty figures vary widely due to differing criteria (who counts as a “journalist” vs. media worker/propagandist; whether death was in the line of duty; verification challenges amid restricted access, destroyed infrastructure, and reliance on local sources often tied to Hamas):
Israeli analyses start from the higher reported lists and identify affiliations among them. Not every death is claimed as a targeted strike on a journalist; many occur in broader combat, airstrikes on military targets, or areas of intense fighting where dual-use roles and Hamas embedding in civilian/media infrastructure complicate distinctions under the laws of war.
Criticisms and Counterpoints
Press freedom groups (CPJ, RSF) and critics argue:
These groups focus on whether individuals were acting as journalists (protectable under IHL unless directly participating in hostilities) rather than broader “links.” They have adjusted lists downward based on new evidence of combat roles.
In short: On the specific question of whether a majority of those reported/identified as Gazan journalists killed since October 7 were linked (via membership, employment by affiliated media, or clear ties) to terrorist organizations like Hamas and PIJ—the answer supported by the most comprehensive name-by-name examinations of the casualty lists is yes (~60%). Evidence quality varies by individual, definitions of “journalist” and “linked” matter, and independent verification is limited, but the pattern of dual roles and organizational control of media in Gaza is well-documented across sources.
Citations (8)
- https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-880082
Backs: “Yes, according to detailed analyses by Israeli intelligence researchers and the IDF of the names on Palestinian and international casualty lists, a majority (around 55–60%) of those identified as Gazan journalists or media workers killed since October 7, 2023, had links to terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas and…”
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/majority-of-journalists-killed-in-gaza-linked-to-terror-organizations-study-says/
Backs: “Some dual-hatted individuals also worked as stringers or freelancers for international outlets like Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, or Anadolu.”
- https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/the-press-files/does-the-idf-target-journalists-in-gaza-170-gazan-journalists-exposed-as-terrorists/
Backs: “Some participated in the October 7 attacks; others held roles like snipers, trainers, propaganda officers, or rocket operators while also doing media work. A portion worked with or for international media.”
- https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/02/26/who-are-the-killed-gazan-journalists-affiliated-with-palestinian-terror-groups/
Backs: “CPJ itself later reviewed and removed dozens of names after new evidence (including terror groups’ own claims of them as combatants) emerged, confirming some dual roles.”
- https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/study-most-killed-gaza-journalists-had-terror-ties/
Backs: “Working for or closely with these is treated in the analyses as affiliation.”
- https://cpj.org/2023/10/journalist-casualties-in-the-israel-gaza-war/
Backs: “Roughly 189–207+ Palestinians killed in Gaza (totals fluctuate with ongoing reviews; broader regional figures higher; they have removed individuals for combat involvement or non-journalist status).”
- https://www.dw.com/en/rsf-israel-responsible-for-nearly-half-of-journalist-deaths-in-2025/a-75071665
Backs: “Around 220 total killed by Israeli forces, but stricter “in the line of duty” counts are much lower (dozens confirmed linked to journalistic work).”
- https://www.972mag.com/israeli-army-gaza-journalists-terrorists-debunked/
Backs: “High journalist death tolls (record levels) and access bans raise separate concerns about accountability, targeting, and the ability to verify.”