Report says 706 journalists’ family members killed in Gaza
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 1 hour ago | JP Middle East Desk
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A new report says hundreds of journalists’ relatives have been killed in Gaza since 2023, underscoring escalating risks for media workers and raising serious concerns under international humanitarian law.Summary
RAMALLAH — A report released on December 27 by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate documents a sharp escalation in risks faced by journalists, extending beyond media workers themselves to their immediate families.
According to the syndicate, at least 706 family members of journalists have been killed since the start of hostilities in 2023, a figure it says reflects a deeply troubling pattern rather than isolated incidents.
Targeting beyond journalists themselves
The report states that repeated strikes have resulted in the deaths of relatives of working journalists, a development the syndicate describes as indicative of collective punishment. It argues that such harm compounds the dangers journalists already face while reporting under conflict conditions.
The syndicate emphasizes that the killing of family members has a chilling effect on press freedom, placing additional psychological and professional pressure on journalists who continue to work amid ongoing violence.
Legal and ethical implications raised
Beyond the immediate human toll, the report points to serious ethical and legal questions, particularly under international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians and prohibits collective punishment.
While the syndicate does not assign legal responsibility, it calls for independent investigations and greater international scrutiny, warning that the normalization of harm to journalists’ families could further erode protections for the press in conflict zones.
KEY POINTS:
- A Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate report was released on December 27
- The report documents at least 706 journalist family members killed in Gaza since 2023
- The syndicate describes the pattern as indicative of collective punishment
- Press freedom and journalist safety are cited as being severely impacted
- The report raises concerns under international humanitarian law
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on a December 27 report issued by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate.
PHOTO: By hosny salah from Pixabay
