No Witnesses, No Narrative: 76 Journalists Targeted in Israel's 2025 Campaign

The principle is simple: "No witnesses, no narrative, no image." On December 26, 2025, mourners gathered outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza to pray over the bodies of Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh. Their deaths mark the peak of what the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) calls a systematic policy of "neutralizing the press through deadly force."

2025: The Deadliest Year for Global Press

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Israel killed more journalists in 2025 than any other country. By the end of November 2025, at least 76 Palestinian journalists had been killed or wounded. The syndicate's Freedoms Committee warns that journalists are no longer just potential casualties but have become "confirmed and frequent targets."

Over the past 26 months, nearly 300 media workers have been killed in Gaza—an average of 12 per month. The campaign isn't just about fatalities; a sharp rise in life-altering injuries has been documented. Journalists like Akram Dalloul have lost their sight, while others have faced amputations or paralysis following targeted strikes.

Operational Logic vs. Press Protection

While Israel frequently justifies these strikes by claiming journalists are members of Hamas, press freedom groups strongly condemn these attacks as assassinations. Most incidents occurred while reporters were clearly identifiable in protective gear and working at recognized media gathering points, such as the journalists' tent at Nasser Hospital hit on April 7 and 8.