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

Short answer: No. Independent tallies and reviews do not show that most Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were members of terrorist organizations.

What the best independent counts show

•CPJ’s running database says that, as of September 24, 2026, at least 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers were killed by Israel in Gaza (part of 241 killed by Israel across the region).[1]

•After a comprehensive 2026 audit of its list, CPJ removed 27 names upon determining those individuals had engaged in combat—far short of a majority of the Gaza deaths it tracks.[1]

Claims that most were militants

•The Israel Defense Forces recently published “Press Files” materials asserting that at least 170 people presented as Gaza “journalists/media personnel” who were killed were in fact members of Hamas, PIJ or other groups. These are IDF claims and have not been independently verified.[2]

•CPJ and others have repeatedly said Israel often labels slain Palestinian journalists as “terrorists” without providing sufficient evidence; CPJ has asked for proof in specific cases and, where evidence warranted, already adjusted its database.[3]

Additional context

•Press-freedom groups like RSF have condemned the scale of journalist killings in Gaza and have not endorsed the assertion that a majority of those killed were militants; UN free-expression experts have likewise said Israel has not met the burden of proof for broad “terrorist” labeling.[4]

•In individual cases where Israel alleged militant ties (for example, Faisal Abu Al Qumsan), CPJ reviewed the claims and kept the person listed as a journalist under its methodology.[5]

Bottom line: While a minority of those initially described as journalists have later been found to have engaged in combat, the available independent evidence does not support the claim that a majority of Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were linked to terrorist organizations.[1]

Citations (5)

1cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Journalist casualties during the Israel–Gaza war and related regional conflicts - Committee to Protect Journalists
Backs: “CPJ’s running database says that, as of September 24, 2026, at least 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers were killed by Israel in Gaza (part of 241 killed by Israel across the region).”
2idf.ilGovernment
Background Does the IDF Target Journalists in Gaza? 170 Gazan Journalists Exposed as Terrorists | IDF
Backs: “These are IDF claims and have not been independently verified.”
3cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
CPJ denounces Israel's smearing of killed Palestinian journalists with unsubstantiated ‘terrorist’ labels - Committee to Protect Journalists
Backs: “CPJ has asked for proof in specific cases and, where evidence warranted, already adjusted its database.”
4rsf.orgNonprofits and think tanks
More than 100 journalists killed in six months in Gaza – where is the international community? | RSF
Backs: “UN free-expression experts have likewise said Israel has not met the burden of proof for broad “terrorist” labeling.”
5cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Faisal Abu Al Qumsan - Committee to Protect Journalists
Backs: “In individual cases where Israel alleged militant ties (for example, Faisal Abu Al Qumsan), CPJ reviewed the claims and kept the person listed as a journalist under its methodology.”