IFJ: Killing of 238 Journalists in Gaza a “War Crime” Requiring Accountability

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the killing of 238 journalists in the Gaza Strip over the past two years, calling it a “full-fledged war crime” that must be prosecuted at the international level.

Issam Abu Bakr, a member of the IFJ, said in an interview with Alqahera News that the Israeli military itself has admitted to targeting journalists — a fact he argued strengthens calls to refer Israeli leaders to international courts.

According to Abu Bakr, the number of journalists killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the current conflict exceeds the total killed during both World War I and World War II combined. He said these killings were deliberate, aimed at silencing witnesses to “crimes committed in Gaza.”

Abu Bakr noted that Israel has barred international journalists from entering the enclave, forcing media organizations to rely on local reporters. One of them was Anas al-Sharif, a prominent voice documenting events from inside Gaza, who was killed on Sunday.

Responding to Israel’s claim that the entry ban was intended to protect journalists, Abu Bakr dismissed it as “blatant lies,” questioning how such protection could be claimed while killing those already in the territory. He stressed that journalists are protected civilians under international law and that their targeting is a violation of the Human Rights Charter.

Also, Abu Bakr said it has urged the United Nations and its member states to act immediately to pressure Israel to halt the killings and ensure justice for the victims.