Journalists in Gaza Have Become Military Targets; The Truth Will Not Be Silenced
The Israeli regime, through its criminal and inhumane actions against the people of Gaza-especially journalists-is attempting to cover up its acts of genocide. The occupying Zionist army mistakenly believes that the systematic killing of journalists in Gaza will create fear and prevent the true realities and crimes committed in the region from being exposed.
In this context, we spoke with Seyed Baqer al-Haidari, an Iraqi journalist and media expert. His full remarks follow:
“As you know, not only in Gaza but wherever a journalist speaks for justice, occupiers target them.During the 12-day imposed war against Iran, they bombed the glass building of IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), killing three journalists. In recent days,five journalists were martyred while reporting on the bombing of Nasser HospitalS first stage in Gaza-bringing the total number of journalist martyrs since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood began to 246. Why do you think Israel targets journalists in Gaza?”
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has become the world’s largest graveyard for journalists. over 240 Palestinian media workers-including photographers, reporters, editors, and field correspondents-have been killed so far by repeated and blatant attacks carried out by Israeli occupation forces. In just a few recent days alone,five journalists were concurrently killed during a double strike near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. This systematic massacre clearly demonstrates that targeting media professionals is not accidental-it is indeed deliberate policy.
Israel targets Gazan journalists as it fears the truth; it knows these reporters bear witness to its atrocities against civilians and reveal them globally. The occupiers have barred international press access to Gaza entirely while confining coverage mainly to local reporters-whom they then routinely target daily on purpose. Press vests,cameras,and vehicles marked “Press” have become direct targets under this systematic effort to silence Palestinian voices and suppress reality.
“Why do Gazan journalists persist despite famine, hunger risk-and constant threats from Israel?”
It is true that despite hunger conditions-which are severe due to siege-and also daily threats from Israeli forces-their efforts continue undeterred because these journalists believe words are mightier than bullets-and an image documenting a massacre can expose atrocities intended by occupiers for erasure from history records.
Many have lost family or homes but return each day armed with pen or camera: not only news reporters but living witnesses tasked with preserving their people’s blood memory.
“Can the voices of resistance journalists who speak truth ever be silenced? Will their pens ever dry up?”
The voice of any journalist speaking truth cannot be silenced permanently.
A martyred reporter’s pen never dries; their words live on; images remain alive; their blood becomes fresh ink fueling future generations’ writings.
Each slain Gazan reporter is replaced by scores more who carry forward those pens and cameras-the Zionist regime cannot kill truth.
“How would you condemn Israel over its murders of Gazan journalists?”
I implore international bodies-including human rights organizations-and especially Western media workers worldwide-not to remain silent.
Your silence equals complicity in Israeli crimes.
Solidarity with Gazan reporters transcends professional ethics-it defends press freedom’s essence -and humanity’s right-to-know.
If one murder anywhere sparks outrage why do over 240 murdered Palestinian reporters generate global silence?
The urgent need today is exposing facts through pressure for independent inquiries-and dismantling double standards threatening global journalism credibility.
Journalists in Gaza have become military targets-but occupiers will never erase their message.
The martyrs’ blood has inked history-and Gaza’s voice remains unbroken no matter how hard anyone tries to mute pens or cameras.”
