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

Short answer: No—there’s no independent evidence that a majority were members of terrorist groups.

What we do know:

•Press‑freedom groups that maintain the most‑cited databases (CPJ, RSF) have not found that most of the Gazan journalists killed were militants. After a months‑long 2026 audit, CPJ removed 27 names from its Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory list for “engagement in combat,” out of more than 200 cases reviewed—far from a majority. CPJ’s current tally also shows 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israel in Gaza as of September 24, 2026.[1]

•RSF has verified a few isolated cases (for example, Mohammad Jarghoun) but has not concluded that most slain Gazan journalists were fighters.[2]

By contrast, Israeli government and allied research bodies claim most were “linked” to terror—for example:

•The IDF recently said 170 of those presented as journalists were actually terrorists, and the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC) has argued roughly 60% were “operatives or affiliated.” However, ITIC counts “affiliation” to include people employed by or appearing on Hamas/PIJ‑owned media, a much broader standard than confirmed militant membership, and these claims have not been independently verified.[3]

Bottom line: Independent audits and databases do not support the claim that a majority of Gazan journalists killed since October 7, 2023 were terrorists; credible confirmations of militant status exist but are a minority of the total.[1]

Citations (3)

1cpj.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Journalist casualties during the Israel–Gaza war and related regional conflicts - Committee to Protect Journalists
Backs: “CPJ’s current tally also shows 189 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by Israel in Gaza as of September 24, 2026.”
2rsf.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Israel/Palestine war: 41 journalists, more than one a day, killed in first month of Israel-Palestine war | RSF
Backs: “RSF has verified a few isolated cases (for example, Mohammad Jarghoun) but has not concluded that most slain Gazan journalists were fighters.”
3timesofisrael.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
IDF documents terror affiliations of 170 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza war | The Times of Israel
Backs: “The IDF recently said 170 of those presented as journalists were actually terrorists, and the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC) has argued roughly 60% were “operatives or affiliated.” However, ITIC counts “affiliation” to include people employed by or appearing on Hamas/PIJ‑owned media, a…”