What's happened
As of December 2025, 67 journalists were killed worldwide, with Israeli forces responsible for 43%, primarily in Gaza where over 220 journalists have died since October 2023 amid ongoing conflict. Israel continues to bar international journalists from Gaza, despite calls for access and legal challenges. U.S. lawmakers criticize Israel's lack of transparent investigations into attacks on journalists.
What's behind the headline?
Press Freedom Under Siege
The data reveals a stark reality: Israel has become the deadliest force against journalists globally in 2025, responsible for nearly half of all journalist deaths. This is compounded by a near-total blockade on foreign press access to Gaza, severely limiting independent reporting and transparency.
The Impact of Restricted Access
By barring international journalists, Israel controls the narrative emerging from Gaza, raising concerns about information suppression amid a humanitarian crisis. Palestinian journalists, despite facing grave dangers, remain the primary source of frontline reporting, but their safety and freedom are precarious.
Political and Legal Dimensions
U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Peter Welch, highlight Israel's failure to conduct credible investigations into attacks on journalists, underscoring a pattern of impunity. Legal actions in France accuse Israel of obstructing press freedom and potentially committing war crimes, reflecting growing international frustration.
Broader Implications
The targeting and killing of journalists not only violate international law but also undermine global awareness of the conflict's realities. The ongoing violence against media workers and the suppression of independent reporting will likely exacerbate misinformation and hinder conflict resolution efforts.
Forecast
Without increased international pressure and transparent investigations, the cycle of violence against journalists will persist. The continued exclusion of foreign media from Gaza will deepen information blackouts, affecting global understanding and policy responses to the conflict.
What the papers say
Reuters reports U.S. Senator Peter Welch's accusations that Israel has not seriously investigated the October 2023 attack that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded others, highlighting conflicting statements from Israeli authorities about the status of investigations. The New York Times details repeated delays by the Israeli Supreme Court in responding to petitions demanding press access to Gaza, with the Foreign Press Association calling the situation "beyond absurd." Al Jazeera and The Times of Israel cite the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annual report, which names Israel as responsible for 43% of journalist deaths worldwide in 2025, including a deadly "double-tap" hospital strike in Gaza. RSF's director general, Thibaut Bruttin, condemns the failure of international bodies to protect journalists amid a global decline in governmental courage. France 24 and The New Arab highlight legal complaints filed in Paris accusing Israel of obstructing press freedom and potentially committing war crimes, citing incidents of violence against journalists in the West Bank and Gaza. These sources collectively illustrate a pattern of lethal risks for journalists in Gaza, restricted media access, and international calls for accountability.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, leading to a prolonged Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Since then, Israel has restricted foreign press access to Gaza, while Palestinian journalists face extreme risks. International bodies and journalist unions have condemned attacks on media workers and called for accountability.
Go deeper
- Why has Israel blocked international journalists from Gaza since 2023?
- What investigations has Israel conducted into attacks on journalists?
- How many journalists have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began?
Common question
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How Many Journalists Have Been Killed Worldwide in 2025?
The safety of journalists worldwide remains a critical concern in 2025. With ongoing conflicts and restrictions on press access, many reporters face life-threatening risks. Recent reports reveal that nearly 220 journalists have lost their lives since October 2023, highlighting the dangerous environment for media workers, especially in conflict zones like Gaza. Curious about the full scope of these dangers and what is being done to protect press freedom? Keep reading to find out more.
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What’s Behind the Rising Tensions in Global News Today?
Today’s headlines reveal a world in flux, with political crackdowns, international conflicts, and major reforms making headlines. From Tunisia’s crackdown on opposition figures to Haiti’s ongoing security crisis, these stories highlight the complex and often tense state of global affairs. Curious about what’s driving these events? Below, we answer some of the most pressing questions about today’s news and what they mean for the world.
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Why Are Journalists Dying in Gaza?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has tragically become one of the deadliest zones for journalists in recent years. With over 220 reporters killed since October 2023, many are asking: what makes Gaza so dangerous for media workers? This page explores the risks journalists face in conflict zones like Gaza, the restrictions on press access, and what can be done to better protect journalists worldwide.
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What is the current situation with journalists in Gaza?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on journalists, with many losing their lives and facing severe restrictions. Understanding the risks faced by media workers and the reasons behind these dangers is crucial for grasping the broader picture of press freedom in conflict zones. Below, we explore key questions about journalists' safety, access, and the implications of recent events in Gaza.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Reporters Without Borders is an international non-profit and non-governmental organization that safeguards the right to freedom of information.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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The International Federation of Journalists is a global union federation of journalists' trade unions—the largest in the world. It represents more than 600 000 media workers from 187 organisations in 146 countries.
The IFJ is an associate member of UNES
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Reuters is an international news organization owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs some 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide.
The agency was established in London in 1851 by the German-born Paul Reuter.
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Agence France-Presse is an international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (born 24 June 1962) is a Mexican politician, energy and climate change scientist, and academic who is the 66th and current president of Mexico since 2024. She is the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold the office. A...
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The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. Its members are U.S. newspapers and broadcasters.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in