RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
04/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2025 11:24
Gaza: RSF condemns Hamas’ threats against journalists bombarded by Israel
Several journalists in Gaza, which has been bombed day and night by Israeli forces for over 18 months, have reported to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that they are being threatened by Hamas which governs the Palestinian territory. RSF stands in solidarity with Gaza's journalists, condemns this intimidation, and calls for the protection of the press, which is under assault from all sides.
Following a wave of public anger not seen since the start of the Israeli offensive on Gaza, a Palestinian journalist working as a correspondent for foreign outlets received a death threat. The journalist told RSF that the threat came from Hamas members who were unhappy with his social media posts. A few days earlier, the reporter - who wishes to remain anonymous - had published a post criticising Hamas, which was facing strong backlash from local protestors exhausted from being subjected to the massacres committed by Israeli forces.
Due to these threats the journalist deleted his posts, fearing for his safety. At least two other journalists have faced threats and physical attacks for covering the protests against Hamas, which lasted several days. "Detention centres and administrative offices in Gaza have been destroyed," one journalist told RSF. "So now Hamas' intimidation tactics consist of direct confrontations with journalists, and the journalists have nowhere to go."
These pressures add to the daily dangers faced by Palestinian reporters in Gaza. Since the start of its offensive, the Israeli army has killed nearly 200 journalists, at least 43 of whom died while reporting. Newsrooms have been targeted, journalists' homes bombed, and the territory's borders remain sealed. In response to these atrocities, RSF has filed four complaints to the International Criminal Court for war crimes committed by the Israeli army targeting Gazan journalists.
"Journalists in Gaza are being threatened from all sides. For the past 18 months, the Israeli army has justified its attacks - which have already killed nearly 200 reporters - by smearing journalists' reputations and accusing them of allegiance to Hamas and other armed groups. Now, amid the ongoing airstrikes, Hamas is threatening the Palestinian journalists who are bravely doing their job despite the incredible risks. These threats from Hamas must stop at once. The massacre of journalists and the blockade imposed by Israeli forces must end immediately. Journalists in Gaza should be allowed to work freely and without fear."
Jonathan Dagher
Head of the RSF Middle East Desk
RSF tirelessly works to protect journalism in Gaza
Beyond bringing complaints to the ICC, publishing investigations and directly supporting Gaza's journalists, RSF recently held a new public demonstration in Paris to call for an end to the massacre of Palestinian reporters. The organisation has also launched a petitiondemanding that the killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza cease and for the strip to be immediately opened to the foreign press.
Published on24.04.2025