Journalists in Gaza at higher risk of death than soldiers

Still, the 75 journalists killed in Gaza represent a fatality rate of 7.5% (75/1000), much higher than the rate of soldiers killed in this conflict, as well as in major wars in the past.

Gaza journalists have higher risk of death than civilians. Image 1 — Palestinian journalists covering the fighting in Gaza. Photo: Getty

In addition, four Israeli journalists were killed in an attack on October 7 and two Lebanese journalists were killed in a rocket attack near the Egyptian border, since the Gaza war broke out.

Journalists in Gaza have to play many roles at once, from war correspondents to civilians in the war, and face bombs just like soldiers. While Israel has one of the most modern armies in the world, journalists are equipped with only cameras, microphones and notebooks.

There are many differences between soldiers and journalists. Soldiers are highly trained in how to dodge bullets and especially how to treat injuries. Military casualties can receive medical attention in less than an hour, and all studies agree that survival rates depend heavily on this procedure. But journalists don’t have that luxury.

Of course, the deaths of journalists only tell half the story. Nearly all of them lost their homes, hundreds lost loved ones, and all lacked adequate food and water. Yet they carried their equipment on their shoulders from scene to scene.

Currently, with no international reporters allowed into Gaza, local Palestinian journalists are the world's only source of direct news about life and war in this land.

Ultimately, journalists in Gaza are worse off than civilians and soldiers, needing tents, sleeping bags, phones, batteries, fuel and food to do their jobs. Meanwhile, the Gaza Journalists Union (PJS) is the only body that has delivered aid to them since the conflict began.

Hoang Hai (according to IFJ, MS)

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