Gaza: Widespread displacement has become a daily reality for journalists in the Gaza Strip, according to the Freedoms Committee of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. Since October 7, 2023, between 60% and 75% of the surviving journalists in the region have been affected.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the committee's report titled "Media Without Walls: The Reality, Impact, and Testimonies of the Displacement Journey of Journalists in the Gaza Strip," highlights the unprecedented targeting of journalists since the conflict began. This targeting has not only affected their lives and workplaces but also uprooted their entire environment.
The report indicates that approximately 265 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli aggression, marking a significant death toll for journalists globally in a single conflict. The widespread displacement experienced by surviving journalists is equally concerning, with about 1,200 journalists in the Gaza Strip affected. Between 700 and 900 journalists have lost their homes or been forcibly displaced, and over 80% of media offices and institutions have suffered complete or partial destruction.
Journalists now report from makeshift locations such as tents and shelters, relying heavily on mobile phones due to the destruction of infrastructure. The intermittent internet access further complicates their work, as public spaces become substitutes for traditional news offices.
Displaced journalists like Dr. Ahed Ferwana and Ola Kassab recount the challenges they face, working from their phones and shelters amid overcrowding and fear. Photojournalist Wissam Zughair speaks of the emotional burden carried alongside their equipment, as the threat of personal harm looms.
The committee emphasizes that the loss of shelter and workplaces affects the quality of journalism, safety, and the ability to verify information. It also weakens professional standards and undermines the protection of sources.
The media environment in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with power outages, telecommunications disruptions, and dispersed journalistic teams turning media work into an individual struggle rather than organized efforts. The committee calls for urgent international protection for Gaza journalists, the establishment of safe temporary workspaces, and psychological and professional support for those affected.
The report concludes that "Media Without Walls" is no longer figurative but a harsh reality for journalists striving to continue their work amid the destruction caused by ongoing conflict.