Lamees Al-Astal – Gaza
Beneath Gaza’s sky, heavy with the scent of gunpowder, missiles, and munitions — saturated with death, displacement, hunger, and suffering — the Palestinian journalist stands steadfast before their camera, rooted in truth, bearing witness to the ongoing aggression. Yet, they are often transformed from mere observers into martyrs, silenced by the world’s apathy after being directly targeted by Israeli forces. Over their bodies, false claims and fabricated lies are spread, seeking to suppress and discredit the Palestinian narrative through media blackout and misinformation.
This is nothing new for Israeli media. In another part of Palestine, on 11 May 2022, a treacherous Israeli bullet pierced the helmet of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh as she covered an Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp. The official Israeli narrative was quick to deny responsibility, claiming that Palestinian gunmen were likely behind her death. A misleading video was released to support this version. However, international investigative reports disproved those claims. Eventually, Israel began altering its narrative, offering implicit admissions while refusing any legal or criminal accountability, rejecting cooperation with the International Criminal Court or UN investigation committees — effectively burying Palestinian rights in the rubble of distorted facts.
Abu Akleh was neither the first nor the last Palestinian journalist to be targeted. She became a symbol — a voice Israel sought to silence and a narrative it aimed to erase. In the ongoing war of extermination against Gaza, such symbols have only multiplied. Parallel to this, disinformation has spread widely, lacking any concrete evidence — all to justify the killing of truth and the press in Gaza.
Israeli Obscuration: From Assassinating Journalists to Distorting Facts
Deputy Head of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Tahseen Al-Astal, says:
“Since the beginning of the current Israeli assault on Gaza, Israel has banned foreign press from entering the Strip and reporting independently. This was followed by the direct targeting of Palestinian journalists and attempts to discredit their reporting to prevent the truth about war crimes committed against civilians — including in hospitals, schools, and residential areas — from reaching the world.”
He adds, “The pattern is clear. As the crimes against children, women, and the elderly became too evident, Israel sought to delegitimize the storytellers themselves — the journalists — by falsely accusing them of being combatants. This gave Israel a pretext to kill them, manipulate facts, and question their professional integrity.”
Al-Astal explains, “All registered Palestinian journalists work according to professional ethics, as evidenced by the international recognition they’ve received — winning prestigious Arab and international awards. Their media work meets global standards of transparency, impartiality, and objectivity.” He emphasizes that due to the harsh realities they face, journalists may only be able to report fragments of the full picture, yet they still strive to deliver the truth.
False Israeli Claims and the Evidence Against Them
Ahmad Al-Louh and Hassan Esleih: Killed So Their Cameras Stay Silent
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee published a misleading post alleging that journalist Ahmad Al-Louh was a “terrorist” affiliated with Islamic Jihad and operated in an “enemy compound” in Nuseirat refugee camp, using his job in civil defense as cover.
Al-Astal refutes this: “Ahmad Al-Louh was detained twice, in 2019 and 2021, by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. He filed a formal complaint to the Journalists Syndicate, which intervened on his behalf. The idea that he was later assassinated for being affiliated with the same groups defies logic.”
He continues, “Some journalists were in Israeli territory on 7 October when the Israeli army failed to protect the border. Their presence and the images they captured were used by Israel to falsely accuse them of participating in attacks. However, all journalists entered after 11 a.m. — hours after the initial events. Israel then sought revenge, targeting and killing them to prevent further reporting.”
In another post, Adraee labeled journalist Hassan Esleih as a Hamas operative from Khan Younis, claiming he was involved in the October 7 operations. Adraee included a video showing Esleih reporting in front of a burning Israeli tank, and a photo of him with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
However, there is no tangible evidence linking Esleih to Hamas or the October 7 operation. The photo merely reflects the nature of journalism in Gaza, where political leaders must be covered. Esleih’s presence at the site and his comments are consistent with any journalist’s duties during wartime. His career was well known locally and internationally, with no record of political or military affiliation. He was affectionately known as “the humble journalist.”
Al-Astal concludes, “Most journalists killed were either at home, in the field, or at work. Israel provided no real proof. The so-called ‘evidence’ could easily be fabricated by amateurs.”
Fear of Solidarity
There is a deep bond between Palestinian journalists and the public, who recognize their sacrifices. But due to targeted killings, some citizens now hesitate to appear on camera or speak with journalists, fearing reprisals.
Al-Astal notes that while this group is small, the Syndicate sees such fear as a dangerous obstruction to journalism and calls on the international community to protect reporters and their sources.
Despite these threats, journalists continue working. “They find alternative ways to get the story out,” Al-Astal says, “because they are committed to delivering their message and serving their homeland.”
Sally Younes, 52, says she doesn’t trust Israeli claims about journalists, calling them justifications for murder. She believes the press deserves protection as the “Fourth Estate” and has discouraged her own journalism-graduate children from pursuing the profession out of fear for their safety.
Younes sends a message to journalists: “We respect and honor your dedication. Find ways to deliver impactful stories to global audiences from all angles.”
Yahya Abu Azab, 34, adds, “Israel distorts the truth for global consumption, exploiting the weakness of local media to shape public opinion. We must keep exposing the lies.”
He calls on Palestinians to support journalists by widely sharing their content, amplifying the Palestinian narrative, and pressuring governments to protect them.
Abu Azab also urges the public to verify sources and reject Hebrew media manipulation.
Few Remain: Gaza’s Journalists Face Death, Displacement, and Starvation
According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, 227 journalists out of 1,050 have been killed in Gaza so far, and dozens more wounded. All have been displaced multiple times, and more than 175 have fled the Strip under threat.
Reporters Without Borders states that Palestine is now the most dangerous place in the world for journalists. Many are besieged without shelter or basic needs. Over 200 have been killed in the first 18 months of war — 42 of them while on the job — and dozens jailed.
In the West Bank, journalists face settler violence and military harassment. The norm is impunity.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 2024 saw a record number of journalists killed worldwide, with Israel responsible for around 70% of those deaths — 85 journalists slain in Gaza alone.
Al-Astal laments the absence of international pressure on Israel to end its war on journalists. He calls for investigations, expert reports, and UN action, and urges the International Criminal Court to finally act.
He concludes, “The Palestinian journalist must be protected — they’re being systematically eliminated. We appreciate support from the International Federation of Journalists, but we need the backing of humanitarian organizations, especially the UN, and decisive action from the ICC.”
Fear Shadows Them — But Their Message Is Mightier Than Bullets
Journalist Moeen Shaloula considers himself lucky to have only faced indirect fire so far. “Each time I go out to report, I carry my life in my hands,” he says. “Sometimes I survive, sometimes I panic, but I keep going because it’s my duty — both professionally and nationally.”
He rejects Israel’s portrayal of journalists as terrorists: “Israel is furious that we expose truths it wants to bury, so it fabricates charges and targets us.”
“80% of those killed in this war were people I knew personally — apolitical professionals just doing their jobs,” he adds. “Israel killed them because they threatened its narrative.”
He says many citizens no longer trust that the world cares, and thus don’t want to speak to journalists, fearing retaliation. Israel sometimes targets people just for appearing in the media.
Reporter Zarefa Abu Qoura says journalists live under constant fear of being labeled terrorists or militants. This takes a heavy mental toll, but she insists on continuing: “I understand why civilians avoid us — but I will keep going to tell their stories.”
To Israel, she responds: “We will continue working to expose your lies and defend the rights of Palestinian journalists and our people.”
“We Die So That Truth May Live”: The Final Testament of Gaza’s Journalists
Every Palestinian journalist knows they might be the next target. Yet they refuse to let truth die before they do. Each fallen colleague was not just a statistic — but an eye, a pen, a voice silenced in a world that chose to look away.
But they live on — in every word they wrote, every image they captured, and every tear shed for the silence forced upon them.
