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

Whether a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023, were linked to terrorist organizations is a subject of intense dispute. The answer depends entirely on how one defines "linked to terrorist organizations" and which methodology or investigative body's data is referenced.

The debate is divided between Israeli researchers/intelligence, who argue that a majority did have ties, and international press freedom organizations, which argue that only a small minority were combatants and the vast majority were civilian journalists.

1. The Israeli / Meir Amit Center Claims (60% linked)

Israeli intelligence and affiliated research bodies assert that a majority of the killed media workers were linked to militant groups.

A comprehensive study published in December 2025 by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (a think tank with ties to Israeli military intelligence) analyzed the identities of 266 individuals reported as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza.

•The 60% Finding: The study concluded that about 60% (157 individuals) were members of, or clearly affiliated with, terrorist organizations. Of these, 104 were linked to Hamas and 45 to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

•Active Combatants: The study claimed that at least 47 belonged directly to Hamas’s military wing (the Al-Qassam Brigades) and 18 were active operatives of PIJ, representing a "dual identity" where individuals operated as armed combatants while carrying "Press" credentials.

•Hamas Media Employees: The remainder of the 60% includes individuals employed by Hamas-operated or Hamas-affiliated media networks (such as the Al-Aqsa TV and radio network). Israeli researchers argue that because these networks are official propaganda and operational arms of Hamas, their employees cannot be considered independent, civilian journalists.

2. The International Press Watchdog Perspective (15–20% linked)

International press freedom watchdogs, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), use a different standard based on international humanitarian law (IHL).

•The Law on Civilian Status: Under IHL, journalists affiliated with political parties or non-state actors (such as those working for Hamas-run media) are legally classified as civilians. They only lose their protected civilian status if they directly participate in hostilities (e.g., carrying weapons, participating in combat, or executing military commands). Press watchdogs argue that merely working as a reporter, editor, or technician for a partisan state broadcaster does not make someone a legitimate military target.

•The 2026 Database Audits: Following the publication of official obituaries by Hamas and PIJ claiming some of the deceased media workers as military "martyrs" or combatants, international groups conducted audits of their casualty lists:

•In June and September 2026, CPJ conducted a thorough audit of its Gaza database. It ultimately removed a net total of 36 names from its list of killed media workers after confirming they had actively engaged in combat or military roles.

•Even after these removals, CPJ's database continued to list 191 journalists and media workers killed in the conflict. Those with confirmed combatant roles represented approximately 15% to 20% of CPJ's initial database—meaning the verified combatants were a clear minority.

•RSF similarly removed a small number of names from its casualty list after finding evidence of active military ties, but maintained that Israel remained responsible for the deaths of a historically unprecedented number of civilian journalists.

Summary

•Yes, under a broad definition of "linked": If the term includes any employee of a Hamas- or PIJ-run media outlet (such as Al-Aqsa TV), or anyone with an ideological or political affiliation to those groups, Israeli research indicates that roughly 60% of the killed media workers fit this description.

•No, under international humanitarian law standards: If "linked" is restricted to individuals who acted as active combatants or directly participated in military hostilities, independent audits by groups like the CPJ indicate that only a minority (approximately 15–20%) were combatants. The vast majority of the remaining casualties are classified by international monitors as civilian journalists.

Citations (12)

1themedialine.orgNews and media
themedialine.org
Backs: “Whether a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023, were linked to terrorist organizations is a subject of intense dispute.”
2wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “The answer depends entirely on how one defines "linked to terrorist organizations" and which methodology or investigative body's data is referenced.”
3timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “A comprehensive study published in December 2025 by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (a think tank with ties to Israeli military intelligence) analyzed the identities of 266 individuals reported as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza.”
4facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “The 60% Finding: The study concluded that about 60% (157 individuals) were members of, or clearly affiliated with, terrorist organizations.”
5jpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.81
jpost.com
Backs: “Active Combatants: The study claimed that at least 47 belonged directly to Hamas’s military wing (the Al-Qassam Brigades) and 18 were active operatives of PIJ, representing a "dual identity" where individuals operated as armed combatants while carrying "Press" credentials. Hamas Media Employees: The remainder of the…”
6theguardian.comNews and mediaquality 0.75
theguardian.com
Backs: “Hamas Media Employees: The remainder of the 60% includes individuals employed by Hamas-operated or Hamas-affiliated media networks (such as the Al-Aqsa TV and radio network). Israeli researchers argue that because these networks are official propaganda and operational arms of Hamas, their employees cannot be…”
7timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “Hamas Media Employees: The remainder of the 60% includes individuals employed by Hamas-operated or Hamas-affiliated media networks (such as the Al-Aqsa TV and radio network). Israeli researchers argue that because these networks are official propaganda and operational arms of Hamas, their employees cannot be…”
8aipac.orgNonprofits and think tanks
aipac.org
Backs: “Israeli researchers argue that because these networks are official propaganda and operational arms of Hamas, their employees cannot be considered independent, civilian journalists.”
9cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cpj.org
Backs: “The International Press Watchdog Perspective (15–20% linked). International press freedom watchdogs, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), use a different standard based on international humanitarian law (IHL). The Law on Civilian Status: Under IHL, journalists…”
10jpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.81
jpost.com
Backs: “The International Press Watchdog Perspective (15–20% linked). International press freedom watchdogs, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), use a different standard based on international humanitarian law (IHL). The Law on Civilian Status: Under IHL, journalists…”
11straitstimes.comNews and mediaquality 0.75
straitstimes.com
Backs: “The 2026 Database Audits: Following the publication of official obituaries by Hamas and PIJ claiming some of the deceased media workers as military "martyrs" or combatants, international groups conducted audits of their casualty lists: In June and September 2026, CPJ conducted a thorough audit of its Gaza database. It…”
12youtube.comSocial media and video
youtube.com
Backs: “The vast majority of the remaining casualties are classified by international monitors as civilian journalists. 1.”