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Short answer
Anti-Israel voices claim day after day that “Israel is targeting journalists,” but the facts say otherwise. War zones are inherently dangerous, and when Hamas fires from or near hospitals, schools, or even press tents, those sites become lawful military targets under international law. In 2024 alone, UNESCO recorded 42 journalists killed in conflicts worldwide — from Ukraine to Myanmar, and from Lebanon to Sudan.
In Gaza, some so-called “journalists” are actually Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives — like Abdallah al-Jamal, who hid three Israeli hostages; Anas al-Sharif, a Hamas commander; and Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh, an Islamic Jihad platoon leader. Israel does not target journalists — it targets terrorists, and when militants pose as reporters or embed themselves in civilian areas, they endanger everyone, including genuine journalists.
In one of the world’s most densely populated war zones, risk to civilians and reporters is tragic — but it is created by Hamas, not by Israel.
Long answer
“Israel is killing journalists.”
That’s the accusation pro-Palestinians keep parroting — but it ignores three critical facts.
First, there is no free press in Gaza. Hamas controls accreditation, bans unwanted outlets, and arrests, tortures, or kills anyone who steps out of line. Foreign and local reporters operate under Hamas’s rules: no filming fighters, no showing rocket launches, no exposing military sites — only human suffering. Every “journalist” in Gaza works under Hamas’s Government Media Office, producing Hamas-approved propaganda.
Second, some so-called journalists are actually members of terrorist groups. Israel has released proof of reporters doubling as Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives, including those tied directly to attacks. Abdallah al-Jamal, a journalist and Hamas operative, held three Israeli hostages in his home before they were rescued. Anas al-Sharif appears in Hamas’s own records as a soldier and commander. Al-Jazeera’s Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh was an Islamic Jihad platoon leader.
Third, war zones are inherently dangerous. When terrorists fire from or near hospitals, schools, or even press tents, those sites become lawful targets under the laws of armed conflict. UNESCO reported that 42 journalists were killed in 2024 in other conflicts — from Ukraine to Myanmar, Lebanon to Sudan, Syria to the DRC. Israel does not directly target journalists — it targets terrorists. And when militants pose as reporters or embed themselves in civilian areas, they put everyone, including genuine journalists, at risk.
