Journalists' Syndicate: This is how the occupation army killed 44 Palestinian journalists inside displacement tents

SadaNews - The Israeli occupation army killed about 44 journalists inside displacement tents in the Gaza Strip, among 254 workers in the Palestinian media field since the onset of aggression on Gaza in October 2023 until the end of October 2025, according to monitoring and documentation by the Freedoms Committee of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate.

A special report by the Freedoms Committee presented incidents and implications of targeting and martyrdom of 44 Palestinian journalists inside displacement tents during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. This report is based on documented data and specific events that included the bombing of journalists' tents around hospitals and UNRWA shelters, in addition to direct sniper operations inside displacement areas.

The Palestinian media landscape has faced a series of systematic attacks targeting the media infrastructure in an organized manner, starting from the destruction of media offices and institutions, followed by the pursuit of journalists to their homes and bedrooms, ultimately leading to the liquidation of journalists inside their temporary tents to which they were forced to flee after their forced displacement. These tents were set up around hospitals and schools, which were considered the last safe havens for journalists.

Summary of documented incidents

Some documented examples: The martyrdom of journalist Helmi Al-Faqawi - 7/4/2025: The correspondent of "Palestine Today" agency, Helmi Al-Faqawi, was martyred as a result of a missile strike that targeted a tent designated for journalists in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital west of Khan Younis.

Also, the martyrdom of the journalistic siblings Zahra and Ahmad Abu Sakheil - 7/11/2024: The journalists Zahra Abu Sakheil (correspondent for the "News Network") and her brother, photographer Ahmad Abu Sakheil, were martyred due to a missile targeting a tent in Fahd Al-Sabah School in Al-Tuffah neighborhood, which sheltered displaced individuals.

Martyrdom of six journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital - 10/8/2025: A tent for journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital was bombed, resulting in the martyrdom of:

Al-Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, Al-Jazeera correspondent Mohammad Quraqia, Al-Jazeera photographers Ibrahim Dhaher and Moamen Aliwa, assistant photographer Mohammad Nawfal, photographer Mohammad Khalidi (who was later martyred), in addition to serious injuries to three others.

Also, the martyrdom of journalist Dr. Hassan Douhan - 25/8/2025: Hassan Douhan, correspondent for "Al-Hayat Al-Jadida" newspaper, was killed by occupation bullets inside his tent on Al-Osbat Street in Mawasi Khan Younis.

Journalist Eman Al-Zamili was also martyred - 1/9/2025: The tent of journalist and activist Eman Al-Zamili was targeted by a missile fired from a drone in the vicinity of Hamad Towers north of Khan Younis, leading to her martyrdom.

Martyrdom of journalist Mohammad Al-Kuwaifi - 15/9/2025: The technical journalist at "Shehab" agency and university lecturer Mohammad Al-Kuwaifi was killed in a missile strike that targeted his tent in Al-Nasr neighborhood. Al-Kuwaifi had lost his family at the beginning of the aggression in 2023 due to the bombing of his house.

Total casualties

44 journalists martyred inside the tents

Dozens of others injured with severe injuries.

Amputation of some limbs due to direct targeting of tents crowded with journalists and displaced individuals.

Places of targeting and types of weapons used.

According to the monitoring and documentation, the targeting places for journalists were in tents inside and around hospitals (Nasser, Al-Shifa), UNRWA schools, and areas of displacement crowded with civilians.

The type of weapon used included accurate aerial missiles, strikes from drones, and direct sniper fire.

Classification of the crime

Targeting civilian journalists is considered a war crime under Article 79 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.

Targeting the tents of displaced individuals in hospitals and schools is considered a grave violation of the protection of humanitarian areas.

No military activity was proven inside the targeted tents, denying any justification to claim "error" in targeting.

Methodology and intent

The high precision of the weapons used and the targeting occurring within places crowded with journalists and displaced individuals confirm a deliberate element.

The objective goes beyond killing individuals to eliminating witnesses and destroying the capacity for documentation.

Human and social impacts.

Depriving journalists of the most basic degrees of humanitarian protection deepens the tragedy of displacement and loss of security, leading to waves of permanent injuries and limb amputations among journalists due to direct shelling on tents.

Recommendations

1. Call for the formation of an independent international investigation committee into the deliberate targeting of journalists.

2. Activating the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes against journalists.

3. Protecting journalists internally by creating safe corridors and protected displacement areas.

4. Communicating with international institutions (UNESCO, International Federation of Journalists) to provide urgent support and protection.

5. Comprehensive documentation of all cases through a legal database that can be referenced judicially.

In conclusion of the report, the head of the Freedoms Committee in the syndicate, Mohammad Al-Laham, pointed out that this report is based on accurate facts and recurring stereotypes, where the targeting and martyrdom of 44 Palestinian journalists inside displacement tents represents a complete war crime as part of a media genocide policy that has already resulted in approximately 70,000 martyrs in the Gaza Strip, and falls within a systematic policy aimed at silencing the journalistic voice and erasing the truth.

Al-Laham added that the magnitude of the crimes, the precision in targeting, the multiplicity of locations, and the continuity over months in the same style and with the same weapons reflect a political decision that shows a clear intent to eliminate the Palestinian media role in documenting crimes and violations.