The occupation continues its crimes against journalists: 739 violations and 33 martyrs during the first half of 2025

SadaNews - Amid the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, field data reveals the extent of the tragedy faced by Palestinian journalists due to the systematic violations and crimes committed by the occupation forces against them, in a clear attempt to silence the truth and obscure the painful reality.

According to a report by the Press Freedom Committee of the Palestinian Journalists' Union, which monitors and documents violations, assaults, and crimes, a total of 739 violations against journalists and media workers were recorded during the first half of 2025. These violations occurred over six months and varied from direct killings, physical injuries, persecution, arrests, to the destruction of media institutions, in a blatant violation of all international and humanitarian laws.

In this context, the martyrdom of 33 journalists was recorded, in addition to the martyrdom of 41 of their relatives, reflecting the collective punishment policy pursued by the occupation. The number of injuries from gunfire and shrapnel reached 66, while 25 cases of arrest and 228 cases of detention and coverage prevention were recorded, along with 70 cases of direct targeting with gunfire, the destruction of 32 homes belonging to journalists, and the complete destruction of 8 press institutions.

These data confirm that the occupation does not regard journalists as protected civilians under the Geneva Conventions, but rather as field targets that must be silenced. The first six months of the year revealed that May was the bloodiest and most dangerous month, with 168 violations recorded, including 10 martyrs, reflecting a systematic escalation during that period.

In this context, the freedoms committee at the Palestinian Journalists' Union confirms:
"What the Palestinian journalist is subjected to constitutes a complete crime, necessitating urgent international action to protect him and hold the perpetrators accountable."

The Journalists' Union warns of the dangers of continuing this policy, asserting that targeting the media is an attack on consciousness and memory, and an attempt to distort facts and silence the voices of victims. The union renews, on behalf of all Palestinian journalists, its commitment to the high professional media message, despite all threats, insisting on conveying the truth to the world, despite risks, obstacles, and challenges.