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

Short answer: No. Independent press‑freedom groups that have re‑checked the cases do not find evidence that a majority of Gaza-based journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were members of terrorist organizations.

•CPJ’s September 24, 2026 audit of deaths in Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory reviewed 229 cases and removed 22 names after new information showed those individuals were combatants; CPJ says it excludes anyone found to have engaged in combat. That total is far short of a “majority.” The Washington Post added that, over the course of the war, CPJ has removed 27 people in all after determining they participated in combat or belonged to a militant group.[1]

•Claims that most of the dead “journalists” were actually militants come from Israeli military/intelligence sources (e.g., the IDF’s “Press Files” and a Meir Amit/ITIC study asserting about 60%). These assertions have not been independently corroborated by CPJ or RSF, and the ITIC report’s methodology counts people as “affiliated” if they worked for Hamas-run media outlets.[2]

•RSF, which has filed multiple ICC complaints over the killings, likewise disputes broad terrorism-labeling of Gaza journalists and has focused on evidence of strikes that targeted reporters.[3]

Bottom line: While a small fraction of those initially counted as journalists were later found to be combatants and removed from independent tallies, there is no independent evidence that a majority were linked to terrorist organizations.[1]

Citations (3)

1cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
CPJ completes review of journalists killed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory - Committee to Protect Journalists
Backs: “That total is far short of a “majority.” The Washington Post added that, over the course of the war, CPJ has removed 27 people in all after determining they participated in combat or belonged to a militant group.”
2idf.ilGovernment
The Press Files | IDF
Backs: “These assertions have not been independently corroborated by CPJ or RSF, and the ITIC report’s methodology counts people as “affiliated” if they worked for Hamas-run media outlets.”
3rsf.orgNonprofits and think tanks
RSF files fifth complaint with ICC about Israeli war crimes against journalists in Gaza | RSF
Backs: “RSF, which has filed multiple ICC complaints over the killings, likewise disputes broad terrorism-labeling of Gaza journalists and has focused on evidence of strikes that targeted reporters.”