Israel attacks press as ‘silencing’ policy: Palestinian journalists union

Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Reports Systematic Targeting by Israeli Forces

A report released by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has documented a significant increase in violence against journalists in Israel since October 2023. The syndicate’s Freedoms Committee stated that Israeli forces have implemented a policy of “silencing the press through killing, injury and permanent disability” to undermine the narrative of Palestinians.

According to the report, at least 76 Palestinian journalists were killed or wounded by Israeli authorities by the end of November 2025. This figure is considered a “dangerous indicator” of the escalating targeting policy pursued by Israeli authorities. The committee described the situation as a systematic targeting of journalists, with many being confirmed and frequent targets.

The report highlights that Israel has killed several journalists in Gaza in targeted assassinations, often falsely claiming they are members of Hamas. Press freedom groups have condemned these attacks, but no Israeli troops have been arrested or charged for killing journalists.

The syndicate’s head, Muhammad al-Lahham, stated that the scale and consistency of the attacks amount to international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. He rejected claims that journalists were caught accidentally in hostilities, describing instead a deliberate operational logic.

The report also notes that Israel has enforced a “field doctrine based on the principle of ’no witnesses, no narrative, no image’” to silence the media by force. This policy has resulted in a significant increase in life-altering injuries among journalists, including amputations, paralysis, and blindness.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate’s report is supported by data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which found that Israel killed more journalists in 2025 than any other country. The report warns that Palestine has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to practise journalism.

Source: Al Jazeera