Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?
Short answer: No. There is no independent evidence that a majority of Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were members of terrorist organizations.
What we know
•Independent press‑freedom groups do not support the “majority” claim. After a months‑long audit finished on September 24, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it removed 27 names from its war‑fatalities database after new research showed those individuals had engaged in combat—well short of a majority of the roughly 200+ Gaza deaths CPJ has documented. CPJ also removed several people who were not journalists.[1]
•As of September 24, 2026, CPJ’s running tally shows 189 Palestinians (journalists and media workers) killed by Israel in Gaza; CPJ has not reported evidence that most of them were militants.[1]
•CPJ and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stress that allegations of “affiliation” do not, in themselves, make someone a combatant or strip civilian protection; CPJ bases inclusion on whether a person was a journalist and not engaged in hostilities at the time.[2]
Where the “majority” claim comes from
•An Israeli research center (Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) published a December 2025 study asserting about 60% of Gaza fatalities labeled as journalists/media workers had organizational ties; pro‑Israel advocacy site HonestReporting later claimed 57%. These figures rely heavily on militant obituaries, social‑media posts, or employment at outlets they deem affiliated; they are not adopted by CPJ/RSF.[3]
•RSF has repeatedly challenged broad, unverified accusations by Israeli authorities that Gaza reporters were “terrorists,” calling for credible evidence.[4]
Bottom line
•Independent watchdogs’ best available reviews do not find that most slain Gazan journalists were militants; only a minority of cases have been removed for proven combatant activity. Claims that “a majority” were linked to terrorist groups come from partisan or government‑aligned sources and are disputed.[1]
Backs: “After a months‑long audit finished on September 24, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it removed 27 names from its war‑fatalities database after new research showed those individuals had engaged in combat—well short of a majority of the roughly 200+ Gaza deaths CPJ has documented. CPJ also removed…”
Backs: “These figures rely heavily on militant obituaries, social‑media posts, or employment at outlets they deem affiliated; they are not adopted by CPJ/RSF.”
Backs: “RSF has repeatedly challenged broad, unverified accusations by Israeli authorities that Gaza reporters were “terrorists,” calling for credible evidence.”