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

This question needs sourcing on the journalists killed since October 7th — I'll pull casualty records and affiliation claims to see if a majority were tied to terror groups.

A majority claim has been made by Israeli sources, but is disputed by international press freedom monitors:

•Total numbers cited for journalists/media workers killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 vary:

•Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) after its September 2025 review says 191 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israeli forces since the start of the war

•CPJ as of June 25, 2026 listed 209

•Other lists examined up to 266 media workers reported killed between Oct. 7, 2023 and Nov. 30, 2025

•Israeli military claim: The IDF in a 2026 dossier identified 170 Gazans killed during the war who were portrayed as journalists or media workers but who, according to Israeli military intelligence, also served in the military wings of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations

•Breakdown: 118 of the 170 were members of Hamas’s military wing, 49 were affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two belonged to the Popular Resistance Committees and one was a member of the Mujahideen Brigades

•17 of the individuals on the list crossed into Israeli territory during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 massacre

If compared to CPJ totals of 191 or 209, or to the 266 list, 170 would be >50%.

•Israeli think-tank claim: The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center published a 140-page study examining name by name Palestinians identified as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza, and concluded that roughly 60% were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations — primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad

•The study examined 266 media workers reported killed and found that 157 were members of or affiliated with terror groups. At least 47 belonged to Hamas’s military wing and 45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including 18 confirmed operatives

•Counter review by CPJ: CPJ has said after Hamas and PIJ published obituaries identifying some people listed as journalists as members of armed groups it reviewed 229 deaths and removed 22 people it had previously counted as journalists or media workers

•Specifically: 19 were removed after investigation established that they had engaged in combat. Three others were removed because they did not qualify as journalists

•A report on the review notes CPJ ultimately removed 22 people from its list, including some it found had participated in combat — but retained others despite militant obituaries, gun photos, or past organisational ties when the evidence did not establish active combatant status

•CPJ says journalists affiliated with non-state actors remain civilians under international humanitarian law as long as they do not directly participate in hostilities

CPJ notes in-person verification has been impossible since Israel barred international correspondents from entering Gaza independently at the start of the war, and says its process requires at least two independent sources.

Other reviews: The BBC is reviewing its reporting after an investigation found that 53 people described as journalists had alleged links to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other terrorist organizations.

In summary: Under the broad definition of "linked to" or "affiliated with" used by the IDF and the Meir Amit Center - which includes membership in military wings, but also employment by Hamas-affiliated outlets such as Al-Aqsa - those Israeli sources assert a majority (about 60%, or 157/266 and 170 of roughly 191-266) were linked. Independent press monitors such as CPJ distinguish affiliation from combatant status and after audit concluded only 22 of 229 reviewed (~10%) were combatants who should be removed, retaining 191 on its list as journalists killed.

Citations (3)

1algemeiner.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Group Behind Gaza Press Death Toll Quietly Removes Hamas and Islamic Jihad Fighters From Its List
Backs: “Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) after its September 2025 review says 191 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israeli forces since the start of the war”
2matzav.comNot yet classified
TERRORISTS WITH PRESS CREDENTIALS: IDF Names 170 Slain Gaza “Journalists” It Says Were Hamas, Islamic Jihad Operatives
Backs: “Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) after its September 2025 review says 191 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israeli forces since the start of the war. CPJ as of June 25, 2026 listed 209. Other lists examined up to 266 media workers reported killed between Oct. 7, 2023 and Nov. 30, 2025. Israeli…”
3jewishonliner.orgNot yet classified
IDF Names 170 Gaza “Journalists” Who Served in Military Wings of Hamas, PIJ and Other Terror Groups
Backs: “The study examined 266 media workers reported killed and found that 157 were members of or affiliated with terror groups. At least 47 belonged to Hamas’s military wing and 45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including 18 confirmed operatives. Counter review by CPJ: CPJ has said after Hamas and PIJ published…”