In a year of war in Gaza, a 'press blackout', says RSF

London – Journalists shot and killed, newsrooms destroyed, internet signal and electricity supply cut, foreign press prevented from entering: Israeli forces have “methodically destroyed the press infrastructure in the Palestinian territory and stifled journalism”, says the organization Reporters Without Borders ( RSF) in an assessment of the first year of the war in Gaza

“Since the first bombs fell on Gaza on the morning of October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ bloody attack on Israel, the right to information about what is happening in the Palestinian territory continues to diminish by the day, as the ‘ blackout of journalism’ by the Israeli army continues”, says the organization.

In one year, according to RSF, more than 130 Palestinian journalists were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, of which at least 32 were shot while covering the conflict.

Problems affect local and foreign press one year into the war in Gaza

Almost all journalists who lived and worked in the territory had to move, some several times. Those who managed to go into exile have no prospect of returning, according to the organization, which also protests against the treatment given to the international press.

“Israeli authorities continue to close access to Gaza to foreign journalists. The few reporters who were allowed to enter Gaza could only do so under the strict surveillance of the Israeli army.”

International outlets, press freedom organizations and foreign correspondents have already addressed the Israeli government several times through manifestos and open letters trying to reverse the policy, without success.

The repression did not end there: newsrooms were destroyed and press professionals were arrested and tortured, according to information from RSF.

Internet access and electricity supplies are regularly cut off, making it difficult for those trying to report on what is happening in the war zone.

Journalists accused of participating in attacks

Journalists who continue to work despite the risks are often victims of propaganda campaigns that question their integrity, accusing them of working with fighters or having participated in the October 7 attacks, points out the organization, which regrets the lack of international reaction.

“These shocking violations of press freedom have been treated with widespread impunity. Despite the four complaints that RSF filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes against journalists in Gaza, and the assurances that the ICC prosecutor’s office gave to RSF in January that they would be investigated, the perpetrators have not yet were brought to justice, and the crimes continue.

Although Israeli authorities have often claimed that they do not target journalists, numerous testimonies, investigations and even statements given by the Israeli army contradict this claim.”

Press ‘blackout’ affects journalists and the public

Rebeca Vincent, global campaigns director at Reporters Without Borders, highlights the impact on journalists and the public, deprived of information about the war in Gaza.

“A full year of war has meant a year of unprecedented violence against journalists, with the workforce in Gaza now decimated and foreign journalists still barred from entry.

Israeli forces have done everything in their power to prevent coverage of what is happening in Gaza and have systematically attacked journalists who have taken tremendous risks to do their work.

This, in turn, has impacted the global public’s access to information about the war, which is overwhelmingly in the public interest. Journalists have a right to do their jobs reporting on this war, and we all have a right to know what is happening in Gaza.”

Repression and risks beyond Gaza’s borders

Reports of violations of press freedom after a year of war are not restricted to Gaza.

Since October 7, according to Reporters Without Borders, dozens of West Bank journalists have been detained and remain in Israeli prisons.

A law approved by the Israeli parliament in November 2023 made it possible to ban Al Jazeera in Israel, which was put into effect on June 14 of this year.

Al-Jazeera’s headquarters in Ramallah was closed by armed soldiers last September on propaganda charges.

Attempts at censorship also affect foreign media outlets: on May 21, the Israeli army seized a camera belonging to the Associated Press news agency and cut its continuous footage of Gaza for several hours under the pretext that the footage was provided to Al Jazeera, among other media.

Israeli reporters who criticize the war in Gaza and the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have also been victims of repression, intimidation and police violence since October 7, 2023, RSF highlights.

In Lebanon, three journalists were killed by the Israeli army while working, according to information from RSF.

Although six investigations — including one by RSF — prove that Reuters photojournalist Issam Abdallah was targeted by Israeli forces on October 13, 2023, no authorities have been held accountable for this crime to date.

A year later, the war has intensified and now Lebanese journalists are at risk of becoming victims of massacres too, as many of them have been forced to evacuate their homes and work from increasingly dangerous areas, the organization warns.