Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?
Short answer: there’s no independent evidence that “most” were.
•What independent press‑freedom groups say: CPJ documents journalist deaths but does not classify people by political affiliation; as of September 24, 2026 it lists 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israel in Gaza. CPJ has noted that the IDF labeled some of the dead as terrorists but said Israel has not provided sufficient verifiable evidence for many such claims; CPJ reviewed its database in 2026 and removed some names that proved to be combatants, but emphasized it does not base inclusion on affiliations.[1]
•Where the “majority had terror ties” claim comes from: the Israeli military’s “Press Files” asserts that at least 170 killed Gaza “journalists/media personnel” were actually members of Hamas, PIJ, or other militant groups; Israel‑aligned researchers at the Meir Amit center similarly argue about 60% of 266 “media personnel” had organizational ties (counting, for example, employment at Hamas‑run outlets as affiliation). Advocacy site HonestReporting has published audits claiming a similar “over half” figure. These are not endorsed by independent press‑freedom groups.[2]
•Skepticism from watchdogs: RSF has warned that Israeli documents posted to justify such accusations have not, by themselves, met evidentiary standards and do not justify treating journalists as combatants.[3]
Bottom line: Whether a “majority” were linked depends on adopting government/advocacy classifications that many independent organizations have not verified. On the best available independent record, the claim that most of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were tied to terrorist groups remains unproven.[1]
Backs: “CPJ reviewed its database in 2026 and removed some names that proved to be combatants, but emphasized it does not base inclusion on affiliations.”
Backs: “Advocacy site HonestReporting has published audits claiming a similar “over half” figure. These are not endorsed by independent press‑freedom groups.”
Backs: “RSF has warned that Israeli documents posted to justify such accusations have not, by themselves, met evidentiary standards and do not justify treating journalists as combatants.”