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

I'll search for data on Gazan journalists killed since October 2023 to assess reported ties to militant groups.

Yes, according to Israeli research and military findings, a majority were:

•A 140-page study in December 2025 by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, examining Palestinians identified as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza, "concluded that roughly 60% were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations — primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad"

•The study examined "266 Palestinians identified as journalists or media personnel killed in Gaza from October 7, 2023, to November 30, 2025, approximately 60%—at least 157 individuals—were affiliated with terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas (104 cases, including 47 confirmed military operatives)"

•It also found "45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including 18 confirmed operatives", and in a more detailed breakdown "The study examined 266 media workers reported killed between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2025, 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."

•The Meir Amit analysis "analyzed 266 Palestinians identified as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza between October 2023 and late November 2025 and concluded that about 60% had roles in Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other armed factions, including combat, command, or propaganda duties."

Researchers said they matched Hamas casualty lists with "Israel Defense Forces documents, internal rosters, and social media evidence that showed dual roles."

•The Israel Defense Forces published a separate searchable dossier on Oct 1-2, 2026 that "lists 170 Gazans the military says were described as journalists but served in militant groups."

The IDF breakdown was: "118 tied to Hamas's military wing, 49 to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two to the Popular Resistance Committees and one to another group, and notes 17 crossed into Israel during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks."

Other IDF summary gave: "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. The IDF further said that 17 of the individuals on the list crossed into Israeli territory during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 massacre."

•The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which tracks press deaths, conducted a review after Hamas and PIJ "published obituaries identifying some of those previously listed as journalists as combatants" . CPJ "removed eight names from its database after they were established to be Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives" and after a fuller audit "removed 19 terrorists and three other fake journalists" with the rejigged database totaling "191 supposed Gazan journalists and media workers."

Independent review of CPJ's remaining list by Israeli media watchdog HonestReporting found a majority still had ties:

> "Although the CPJ review removed almost two dozen individuals who participated in combat during the war that began on October 7, 2023, 53 percent of those still listed have terrorist ties, with CPJ failing to remove identified terrorists and even reinstating some to the database."

Another HonestReporting audit stated: "Our audit of CPJ's slain Gazan journalist database shows that at least 57 percent of supposed media workers have some ties to terrorist organizations"

Context and dispute

•CPJ states its standard is that it "does not include anyone in its database when there is evidence they were engaged in combat or inciting imminent violence, and that journalists affiliated with non-state actors remain civilians under international humanitarian law as long as they do not directly participate in hostilities."

•Press freedom advocates counter that "Israel is trying to discredit Palestinian reporters instead of addressing the scale of journalist deaths."

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: “It also found "45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including 18 confirmed operatives", and in a more detailed breakdown "The study examined 266 media workers reported killed between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2025, and found that 157 were members of or affiliated with terror groups. At least 47 belonged to…”
2srnnews.comNot yet classified
The Media Line: Study Says Up to 60% of Gaza War Journalists Killed Were Affiliated with Terrorist Groups - SRN News
Backs: “At least 47 belonged to Hamas's military wing and 45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including 18 confirmed operatives.". The Meir Amit analysis "analyzed 266 Palestinians identified as journalists or media workers killed in Gaza between October 2023 and late November 2025 and concluded that about 60% had…”
3particle.newsNews and media
IDF Publishes 170-Name Database Saying Named Gaza ‘Journalists’ Were Militant Operatives
Backs: “Researchers said they matched Hamas casualty lists with "Israel Defense Forces documents, internal rosters, and social media evidence that showed dual roles.". The Israel Defense Forces published a separate searchable dossier on Oct 1-2, 2026 that "lists 170 Gazans the military says were described as journalists but…”