Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?
Short answer: No. The best independent evidence to date does not show that a majority of Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were members of, or acting for, terrorist organizations.
What we know
•Independent newsroom/NGO work has found that a minority—not a majority—had employment at Hamas‑run or Hamas‑aligned outlets. A Guardian/Forbidden Stories analysis of CPJ’s list estimated roughly 30% worked for Hamas‑affiliated media such as Al‑Aqsa; legal experts stressed that employment at such outlets does not make someone a combatant or a legitimate target.[1]
•CPJ says its database excludes people if there is evidence they were acting on behalf of militant groups at the time of death; in September 2026 CPJ completed a review, removing 22 names (19 for participating in hostilities, 3 who didn’t meet its definition of journalist), while reaffirming that affiliation claims alone don’t negate civilian protection.[2]
•Press‑freedom groups have repeatedly criticized sweeping, unsubstantiated “terrorist” labels applied posthumously to Palestinian journalists.[3]
Where the “majority” claim comes from
•The oft‑repeated assertion that “over half” were linked to terrorist groups traces to an Israeli research center (Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) and to pro‑Israel media watchdogs; their studies count affiliations broadly and include employment by Hamas‑run media. Their headline figure is about 60%, but this has not been independently replicated by neutral organizations.[4]
Bottom line
•Credible, independent reporting does not support the claim that a majority of the Gazan journalists killed were terrorists or acting as combatants. Some were employed by Hamas‑affiliated outlets; a smaller subset have been credibly alleged posthumously to have taken part in hostilities. But the weight of neutral evidence points to most being civilians killed amid the war, many while doing their jobs.[1]
Backs: “A Guardian/Forbidden Stories analysis of CPJ’s list estimated roughly 30% worked for Hamas‑affiliated media such as Al‑Aqsa; legal experts stressed that employment at such outlets does not make someone a combatant or a legitimate target.”
Backs: “CPJ says its database excludes people if there is evidence they were acting on behalf of militant groups at the time of death; in September 2026 CPJ completed a review, removing 22 names (19 for participating in hostilities, 3 who didn’t meet its definition of journalist), while reaffirming that affiliation claims…”