More than 200 journalists killed in Gaza since war began

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, the situation in Gaza has escalated into a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions. Reports indicate that Palestinian journalists have faced overwhelming peril while documenting the conflict, with their lives at constant risk amid relentless airstrikes. As of late March 2025, over 200 media workers have been killed in the fighting, a staggering statistic that highlights the dangers faced by those simply trying to report on the reality on the ground. Notable casualties include Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Hossam Shabat and Palestine Today reporter Mohammed Mansour, both of whom were killed in targeted attacks aimed at journalists. The toll on journalists has profound implications, as those remaining in the field continue to risk their safety to inform the world about life in Gaza. Abdelhakim Abu Riash, a freelance photographer, expressed his fears about running out of places to report from and colleagues to work with, emphasizing the haunting reality of their circumstances. Nevertheless, he underscores the urgency of their role: if they stop reporting, the world might not understand the extent of the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. The situation has grown increasingly dire, as evidenced by the dire conditions in hospitals where professionals struggle to provide care. For many journalists, the uncertainty and devastation have led to a state of constant trauma and grief, as they continue to witness the escalating violence while mourning their fallen colleagues. The insidious cycle of violence creates a context of despair where periods of ceasefire seem fleeting and misleading. Despite attempts to document the conflict and hold those in power accountable, the ongoing risks have taken an immense toll on the journalistic community in Gaza. As they persist in their work, they do so with the knowledge that each report may be one more in a long line of accounts that reflect the harsh reality of their existence. Their commitment to reporting from Gaza is not only a duty but an attempt at survival for themselves and a voice for those unable to express their own suffering.