The latest report by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has once again highlighted the looming threat to press freedom. According to the report released on Tuesday, a total of 53 violations against journalists were recorded in the month of March by Israeli forces. The syndicate described this as a systematic and increasingly intensifying campaign.
According to the report, the deaths of two journalists during this period further deepened the seriousness of the situation. Amal Al-Shamali, a correspondent for Qatar Radio in Gaza, was killed when her tent was deliberately targeted in an attack. Meanwhile, Marwan Harzallah, a media worker associated with the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, died in Israeli custody allegedly due to torture and medical negligence.
Not only deaths, but systematic obstruction of journalists’ work was also reported. In 12 cases, they were detained or prevented from reporting. In eight incidents, they were directly targeted using tear gas and stun grenades, while in another eight cases, physical assaults were carried out.
The report also states that journalists’ equipment was confiscated or destroyed on seven occasions. In addition, six arrests, four raids on homes, and several incidents involving verbal threats, interrogations, the imposition of heavy bail, and intimidation with weapons were also recorded.
The Syndicate’s Freedom Committee has warned that these incidents of targeting journalists indicate a dangerous trend, aimed at preventing ground realities from reaching the world.
The organization has described these actions as a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, and has called for immediate intervention from the international community and the International Federation of Journalists. It has also urged the launch of an independent investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
At the end of the report, global media organizations were urged to give prominent coverage to these incidents. The syndicate made it clear that despite all the challenges, Palestinian journalists will not back down from their mission to bring the truth to light.