Were a majority of the Gazan journalists killed since October 7th, 2023 linked to terrorist organizations?
Short answer: No independent body has verified that a majority of Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were linked to terrorist organizations.
What different sources say:
•Israel’s military and an Israeli research center (the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) have alleged that most or about 60% of those reported as Gaza “journalists/media workers” who were killed were members of groups like Hamas or PIJ. In October 2026 the IDF even published a list naming 170 such individuals; these claims have not been independently verified.[1]
•Independent press-freedom groups (CPJ and RSF) have documented large numbers of journalist deaths in Gaza but have not concluded that a majority were militants. CPJ did launch a comprehensive review in 2026 and removed some names after finding those individuals were combatants or not journalists, but it did not adopt the Israeli claim that most were militants. As of September 24, 2026, CPJ’s tally included 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed in Gaza by Israeli forces; CPJ emphasizes its classifications are based on journalistic activity, not political affiliation.[2]
•Mainstream reporting on CPJ’s review likewise notes that Israel asserts some slain individuals were militants, while CPJ maintains its methodology and did not validate the claim that a majority were terrorists.[3]
Bottom line: While Israeli authorities and aligned researchers claim “most” or “about 60%” had terror ties, those assertions remain disputed and have not been confirmed by independent monitoring organizations.[1]
Backs: “Mainstream reporting on CPJ’s review likewise notes that Israel asserts some slain individuals were militants, while CPJ maintains its methodology and did not validate the claim that a majority were terrorists.”