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 highly contested question. The answer depends entirely on the definitions of "journalist" and "terrorist link" used by different organizations.

The debate is characterized by a fundamental disagreement between the Israeli military and pro-Israel media watchdogs—who argue that a majority of the deceased media workers had ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—and international press freedom organizations, who argue that Israel is using overly broad definitions to falsely categorize civilian journalists as terrorists.

The Argument That a Majority Had Terrorist Links

The Israeli government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and pro-Israel research organizations argue that a significant majority of those presented as civilian journalists killed in Gaza were actually operatives or affiliates of terrorist organizations.

•The IDF Dossier: The IDF published a list of 170 individuals killed in Gaza who had been presented as journalists but whom the military identified as active members of terror groups. The IDF stated that 118 were active in Hamas's military wing, 49 in PIJ, and others in smaller factions, with 17 allegedly participating directly in the October 7, 2023, attacks. The IDF backed these claims with documents, civil IDs, and military records recovered during operations in Gaza.

•The Meir Amit Center Study: A comprehensive study published by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center examined the cases of 266 media workers reported killed. It concluded that approximately 60% (157 individuals) were members of or closely affiliated with terrorist groups, with at least 47 belonging to Hamas's military wing.

•Watchdog Audits: Media watchdog HonestReporting audited the revised database of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and alleged that more than half (102 out of 191) of the listed individuals still had demonstrable connections to terrorist groups. They pointed out that many worked for outlets directly controlled by Hamas (such as Al-Aqsa TV) or PIJ, or had been honored in "martyr notices" by these groups.

•Media Revisions: Concerns over these connections prompted British broadcaster BBC to review its Arabic coverage after a UK Telegraph investigation alleged that 53 people described as journalists in BBC reports had ties to proscribed militant organizations.

The Argument Rejecting the "Terrorist" Label

International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), reject the premise that a majority of these individuals were combatants, accusing Israel of using "baseless" claims to justify or downplay the high death toll of media workers.

•Methodological Differences: Press freedom groups define a journalist by the function they perform (gathering and distributing news), rather than their political views or employer. Under international humanitarian law, working for a state-run or politically aligned media outlet (like Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV) does not make a media worker a combatant. Unless a journalist actively participates in hostilities, they retain their protected status as civilians.

•Rigorous CPJ Audit: In mid-2026, after Hamas and PIJ published obituaries claiming some deceased "journalists" as military wing members, the CPJ launched a comprehensive internal review and an independent external audit. In September 2026, the CPJ announced it had removed 22 individuals from its casualty list after finding evidence that they had actively engaged in combat or did not meet the definition of a media worker. However, they maintained the remaining 191 names on their list, stating that Israel remains responsible for the vast majority of journalist deaths.

•RSF and IFJ Adjustments: Similarly, RSF and the IFJ removed a small number of names (such as Mohammad Jarghoun and Mohamed Nasr Abu Huwaidi) when definitive evidence emerged of their active combatant or commander status. However, RSF has repeatedly accused the IDF of conducting a "shameful smear campaign" to label Palestinian journalists as terrorists without credible evidence, filed multiple complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and maintained that local Palestinian journalists are critical, protected eyewitnesses in a war zone closed to foreign media.

Summary of the Dispute

The discrepancy comes down to a clash of standards:

1.The pro-Israel perspective argues that working for a terrorist-run media organ, acting as a propagandist, or holding membership in a group like Hamas or PIJ makes an individual a legitimate military target, and that treating them as "civilian journalists" distorts the reality of the war.

2.The press freedom perspective asserts that affiliation, employment, or ideology does not strip a media professional of civilian status, and that only direct, active participation in military hostilities removes their legal protections. Consequently, they view the vast majority of those killed as legitimate civilian journalists.

Citations (15)

1cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cpj.org
Backs: “The answer depends entirely on the definitions of "journalist" and "terrorist link" used by different organizations.”
2jpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.81
jpost.com
Backs: “The answer depends entirely on the definitions of "journalist" and "terrorist link" used by different organizations.”
3timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “The debate is characterized by a fundamental disagreement between the Israeli military and pro-Israel media watchdogs—who argue that a majority of the deceased media workers had ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—and international press freedom organizations, who argue that Israel is using overly broad…”
4aa.com.trNews and mediaquality 0.61
aa.com.tr
Backs: “The debate is characterized by a fundamental disagreement between the Israeli military and pro-Israel media watchdogs—who argue that a majority of the deceased media workers had ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—and international press freedom organizations, who argue that Israel is using overly broad…”
5ynetnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.80
ynetnews.com
Backs: “The Argument That a Majority Had Terrorist Links. The Israeli government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and pro-Israel research organizations argue that a significant majority of those presented as civilian journalists killed in Gaza were actually operatives or affiliates of terrorist organizations. The IDF…”
6jpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.81
jpost.com
Backs: “The Meir Amit Center Study: A comprehensive study published by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center examined the cases of 266 media workers reported killed. It concluded that approximately 60% (157 individuals) were members of or closely affiliated with terrorist groups, with at least 47…”
7freebeacon.comNot yet classified
freebeacon.com
Backs: “Watchdog Audits: Media watchdog HonestReporting audited the revised database of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and alleged that more than half (102 out of 191) of the listed individuals still had demonstrable connections to terrorist groups. They pointed out that many worked for outlets directly controlled…”
8facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “Watchdog Audits: Media watchdog HonestReporting audited the revised database of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and alleged that more than half (102 out of 191) of the listed individuals still had demonstrable connections to terrorist groups. They pointed out that many worked for outlets directly controlled…”
9aipac.orgNonprofits and think tanks
aipac.org
Backs: “They pointed out that many worked for outlets directly controlled by Hamas (such as Al-Aqsa TV) or PIJ, or had been honored in "martyr notices" by these groups. Media Revisions: Concerns over these connections prompted British broadcaster BBC to review its Arabic coverage after a UK Telegraph investigation alleged…”
10jewishnews.co.ukNot yet classified
jewishnews.co.uk
Backs: “Media Revisions: Concerns over these connections prompted British broadcaster BBC to review its Arabic coverage after a UK Telegraph investigation alleged that 53 people described as journalists in BBC reports had ties to proscribed militant organizations.”
11cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cpj.org
Backs: “The Argument Rejecting the "Terrorist" Label. International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), reject the premise that a majority of these individuals were combatants, accusing Israel…”
12ecoi.netNot yet classified
ecoi.net
Backs: “The Argument Rejecting the "Terrorist" Label. International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), reject the premise that a majority of these individuals were combatants, accusing Israel…”
13lorientlejour.comNews and media
lorientlejour.com
Backs: “However, they maintained the remaining 191 names on their list, stating that Israel remains responsible for the vast majority of journalist deaths. RSF and IFJ Adjustments: Similarly, RSF and the IFJ removed a small number of names (such as Mohammad Jarghoun and Mohamed Nasr Abu Huwaidi) when definitive evidence…”
14hrvoices.orgNonprofits and think tanks
hrvoices.org
Backs: “RSF and IFJ Adjustments: Similarly, RSF and the IFJ removed a small number of names (such as Mohammad Jarghoun and Mohamed Nasr Abu Huwaidi) when definitive evidence emerged of their active combatant or commander status. However,”
15algemeiner.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
algemeiner.com
Backs: “RSF and IFJ Adjustments: Similarly, RSF and the IFJ removed a small number of names (such as Mohammad Jarghoun and Mohamed Nasr Abu Huwaidi) when definitive evidence emerged of their active combatant or commander status. However,”