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, had links to terrorist organizations is a subject of intense dispute. The answer depends heavily on how a "link" is defined—such as being an active combatant versus working for a Hamas-run media outlet—and which database is referenced.

The two primary, conflicting perspectives on this issue are detailed below.

1. The Israeli Government and IDF Claims

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli research institutions argue that a majority of the individuals identified as "journalists" killed in Gaza were active members of terrorist organizations.

•The IDF "Press Files" Database: The IDF published a dedicated database alleging that 170 Gazans killed during the war who had been presented internationally as civilian journalists were actually active operatives for terrorist groups. According to the military, 118 were active in Hamas’s military wing, 49 in Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and others in smaller factions. The IDF claims 17 of these individuals participated directly in the October 7, 2023 attacks. The database includes photos, civil and military ID numbers, and documents reportedly seized in Gaza to back up these claims.

•The Meir Amit Center Study: A comprehensive study by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center analyzed 266 media workers reported killed in Gaza. It concluded that roughly 60% (157 individuals) were either active combatant operatives of terror organizations or worked for Hamas-run and Hamas-affiliated outlets (such as Al-Aqsa TV).

The Israeli Argument: Under this view, many of the slain individuals maintained a "dual identity," using press vests and journalistic credentials as cover for military-intelligence gathering, propaganda operations, or active combat roles. Additionally, Israeli authorities argue that media organizations directly funded and controlled by Hamas cannot be considered independent press, making their employees part of the militant apparatus.

2. Independent Press Freedom Watchdogs (CPJ, RSF)

International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), maintain that the vast majority of the Gazan journalists killed were legitimate civilian media workers. However, they have adjusted their lists when concrete evidence of combatant status has emerged.

•CPJ’s Database and Audit: Historically, CPJ rejected many IDF accusations of terrorism against journalists as unsubstantiated "smears." However, after Hamas and PIJ published official military obituaries claiming several previously listed journalists as fallen combatants, CPJ initiated a comprehensive internal review and external audit of its records.

•Adjusted Numbers: Following this audit, CPJ removed a net total of 36 individuals from its database since the start of the war. Of those, 27 were removed because subsequent evidence confirmed they belonged to a militant group or had actively participated in combat (the remaining 9 were removed for non-terror-related reasons, such as not meeting the strict definition of a professional journalist).

•The Remaining Majority: Even after removing these individuals, CPJ confirmed that 191 documented Palestinian journalists and media workers killed since October 7, 2023, were civilian journalists who did not participate in hostilities.

The Watchdog Argument: Press watchdogs emphasize that under international humanitarian law, journalists are considered protected civilians regardless of their political views, employer, or non-military affiliations, unless they directly participate in hostilities. They argue that working for a Hamas-run TV station or having a political affinity does not legally make a journalist a combatant. They accuse the IDF of using broad definitions of "affiliation" to retroactively justify the killings of journalists who were documenting the war.

Summary of the Discrepancy

•According to Israel and its intelligence findings, roughly 60% of the media workers killed in Gaza were "linked" to terrorist organizations, with many serving as active military operatives.

•According to independent global watchdogs like the CPJ, around 12% to 15% of the initially reported journalist casualties have been confirmed to have militant or combatant ties and were subsequently removed from casualty lists. The remaining 85% (191 individuals) are recognized as legitimate civilian journalists who did not take part in combat.

Citations (15)

1ground.newsData and toolsquality 0.77
ground.news
Backs: “Whether a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023, had links to terrorist organizations is a subject of intense dispute.”
2timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “The answer depends heavily on how a "link" is defined—such as being an active combatant versus working for a Hamas-run media outlet—and which database is referenced. The two primary, conflicting perspectives on this issue are detailed below.”
3timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “The Israeli Government and IDF Claims. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli research institutions argue that a majority of the individuals identified as "journalists" killed in Gaza were active members of terrorist organizations. The IDF "Press Files" Database: The IDF published a dedicated database alleging…”
4jewishinsider.comNews and media
jewishinsider.com
Backs: “The IDF "Press Files" Database: The IDF published a dedicated database alleging that 170 Gazans killed during the war who had been presented internationally as civilian journalists were actually active operatives for terrorist groups. According to the military, 118 were active in Hamas’s military wing, 49 in…”
5timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
timesofisrael.com
Backs: “The IDF "Press Files" Database: The IDF published a dedicated database alleging that 170 Gazans killed during the war who had been presented internationally as civilian journalists were actually active operatives for terrorist groups. According to the military, 118 were active in Hamas’s military wing, 49 in…”
6tps.co.ilGovernment
tps.co.il
Backs: “The Meir Amit Center Study: A comprehensive study by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center analyzed 266 media workers reported killed in Gaza. It concluded that roughly 60% (157 individuals) were either active combatant operatives of terror organizations or worked for Hamas-run and…”
7aipac.orgNonprofits and think tanks
aipac.org
Backs: “The Israeli Argument: Under this view, many of the slain individuals maintained a "dual identity," using press vests and journalistic credentials as cover for military-intelligence gathering, propaganda operations, or active combat roles. Additionally, Israeli authorities argue that media organizations directly funded…”
8wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “Independent Press Freedom Watchdogs (CPJ, RSF). International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), maintain that the vast majority of the Gazan journalists killed were legitimate civilian media workers. However, they have adjusted their…”
9theguardian.comNews and mediaquality 0.75
theguardian.com
Backs: “Independent Press Freedom Watchdogs (CPJ, RSF). International press freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), maintain that the vast majority of the Gazan journalists killed were legitimate civilian media workers. However, they have adjusted their…”
10apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
apnews.com
Backs: “However, they have adjusted their lists when concrete evidence of combatant status has emerged. CPJ’s”
11youtube.comSocial media and video
youtube.com
Backs: “CPJ’s Database and Audit: Historically, CPJ rejected many IDF accusations of terrorism against journalists as unsubstantiated "smears." However, after Hamas and PIJ published official military obituaries claiming several previously listed journalists as fallen combatants, CPJ initiated a comprehensive internal review…”
12lorientlejour.comNews and media
lorientlejour.com
Backs: “CPJ’s Database and Audit: Historically, CPJ rejected many IDF accusations of terrorism against journalists as unsubstantiated "smears." However, after Hamas and PIJ published official military obituaries claiming several previously listed journalists as fallen combatants, CPJ initiated a comprehensive internal review…”
13cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cpj.org
Backs: “CPJ’s Database and Audit: Historically, CPJ rejected many IDF accusations of terrorism against journalists as unsubstantiated "smears." However, after Hamas and PIJ published official military obituaries claiming several previously listed journalists as fallen combatants, CPJ initiated a comprehensive internal review…”
14apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
apnews.com
Backs: “They argue that working for a Hamas-run TV station or having a political affinity does not legally make a journalist a combatant. They accuse the IDF of using broad definitions of "affiliation" to retroactively justify the killings of journalists who were documenting the war.”
15newarab.comNews and media
newarab.com
Backs: “They accuse the IDF of using broad definitions of "affiliation" to retroactively justify the killings of journalists who were documenting the war. ---. Summary of the Discrepancy”