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

Investigating how many Gazan journalists killed since Oct. 7 have alleged militant ties — gathering casualty and affiliation data.

Yes, according to investigations by the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli research institutes — disputed by some international press-freedom groups.

Israel claims a majority were members of or affiliated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups:

•The IDF said it identified "170 Gazans killed during the war who were presented internationally as innocent journalists and media personnel but also served in terrorist organizations' military wings"

•In a months-long investigation, the IDF identified dozens including "118 members of Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, 49 members of Islamic Jihad, two members of the Popular Resistance Committees and one member of the Mujahideen Brigades". According to compiled documents, "17 individuals on the list even took part in the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023".

•A study by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center 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".

•The same study detailed: Of these, "157 — roughly 60% — were either members of terrorist groups or worked for outlets affiliated with them. At least 47 belonged to Hamas's military wing and 45 were linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad". The broader summary notes primarily Hamas (104 cases, including 47 confirmed military operatives).

•The study concluded about "60% of individuals identified as journalists killed during the war in Gaza were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations".

•An independent review of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) database by Israeli media watchdog HonestReporting after CPJ's own audit found that of the "191 supposed Gazan journalists on the CPJ's rejiggered database—102 of whom still have demonstrable 'connections to terrorist groups'", concluding "53 percent of those still listed have terrorist ties".

Context for the denominator:

•Hamas has claimed that "over 250 'journalists' have been killed". The Gaza government's Media Office reported "262 journalists have been killed".

•CPJ, after a review where it "removed 19 terrorists and 3 other fake journalists", says "Israeli forces have killed 191 Palestinian journalists and media workers since the start of the war in Gaza". CPJ maintains its definition counts individuals as journalists based on whether they meet its definition of who is a journalist, not affiliation, and says it does "not target journalists" is disputed.

Thus under the IDF / Meir Amit denominator of ~266 reported media workers killed, ~60% with terror ties would be a majority; under CPJ's revised 191 count, IDF's 170 figure would represent ~89% and HonestReporting's 102/191 would be 53% — both majorities. International press freedom groups including CPJ and Reporters Without Borders dispute that affiliation with a Hamas-affiliated outlet or inclusion on seized documents equals combatant status, and continue to classify many of the same individuals as journalists killed in relation to their work.

Citations (3)

1algemeiner.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
IDF Reveals 170 Gaza ‘Journalists’ Were Terror Operatives, Escalating Scrutiny of Wartime Media Death Toll
Backs: “The IDF said it identified "170 Gazans killed during the war who were presented internationally as innocent journalists and media personnel but also served in terrorist organizations' military wings". In a months-long investigation, the IDF identified dozens including "118 members of Hamas's military wing, the…”
2tps.co.ilGovernment
‘Dual Roles Undermine Trust in Media’: Most Journalists Killed in Gaza Had Terror Ties, Study Finds
Backs: “The same study detailed: Of these, "157 — roughly 60% — were either members of terrorist groups or worked for outlets affiliated with them.”
3substack.comBlogs and newsletters
More Than Half the Names on Committee to Protect Journalists List of Slain Gaza Journalists Are Still Linked to Terror Outfits Despite Group’s Self-Policing ‘Audit’
Backs: “The study concluded about "60% of individuals identified as journalists killed during the war in Gaza were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations". An independent review of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) database by Israeli media watchdog HonestReporting after CPJ's own audit found that of…”