International Union of Journalists and Writers: Targeting Journalists in Gaza Is a War Crime—Perpetrators Must Be Held Accountable

We, at the International Union of Journalists and Writers, express our strongest condemnation and deepest outrage over the deliberate targeting of our fellow Palestinian journalists and media professionals in the Gaza Strip. This ongoing crime has so far resulted in the martyrdom of 226 journalists since the beginning of the Israeli assault on Gaza in October 2023.

We firmly believe that the systematic and intentional targeting of journalists constitutes a full-fledged war crime and a blatant violation of all international conventions and norms, foremost among them international humanitarian law. This aggression is also a direct attack on press freedom and a grave denial of people’s right to information and truth.

In line with our moral and professional responsibility, we call for the immediate launch of an international investigation into these crimes and for holding the perpetrators accountable before international criminal courts without delay or obstruction. We also urge international institutions, press unions, and the global media community to stand united in protecting journalists working in conflict zones and to push for the establishment of effective and sustainable international mechanisms to ensure their safety.

We believe that silence in the face of journalist killings is a form of complicity, and we reaffirm that protecting a free press is a collective responsibility and an urgent global priority.

International Union of Journalists and Writers
 Brussels
 June 8, 2025