Number of journalists killed in Gaza rises to 204

CAIRO - 14 January 2025: The Government Media Office in Gaza has announced that the number of journalists killed during the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza has risen to 204, following the death of Palestinian journalist Mohammad Bashir Al-Talmas.

Al-Talmas succumbed to critical injuries sustained during an Israeli airstrike targeting the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. This tragic incident marks yet another devastating loss for the media community in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Government Media Office strongly condemned the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces. The office called on the International Federation of Journalists, the Arab Journalists Union, and media organizations worldwide to denounce these actions as crimes against journalists and the press in Gaza.

The statement emphasized that the deliberate targeting of media professionals is a blatant violation of international laws and conventions that are meant to protect journalists during armed conflicts. It further highlighted the urgent need for global attention to the systematic suppression of freedom of the press in Gaza.

The Government Media Office also held Israel, the United States, and other nations involved in the conflict, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, fully responsible for the deliberate targeting of journalists. The statement described these actions as "heinous and barbaric crimes" and called for accountability at the highest levels.

The office urged the international community, global organizations, and entities dedicated to journalistic and media freedoms to take immediate action. It demanded that these organizations condemn Israel's violations, pursue accountability through international courts, and implement effective measures to protect journalists working in Gaza.

Additionally, it called for intensified pressure on Israel to halt what it described as an ongoing act of genocide, aimed at protecting journalists and preventing further assassinations.

This tragic rise in the number of journalists killed underscores the dire need for international intervention. The targeting of journalists not only threatens press freedom but also highlights the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Immediate and effective global action is essential to ensure accountability, safeguard media professionals, and prevent further loss of life in the region.