Hamas labeled Israel as the most formidable adversary to journalists and the media in Palestine

In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas asserted that the current conflict in the Gaza Strip has highlighted significant challenges faced by journalists and the press in the region. The organization described the situation as demonstrating that the Israeli occupation presents substantial threats to media professionals working in occupied Palestine. According to Hamas, journalists have played a crucial role in revealing what it refers to as crimes and human rights violations against Palestinians. Additionally, the group emphasized the role of the media in countering what it claims are misleading narratives and propaganda undermining Palestinian rights to sovereignty, freedom, and the efforts of their resistance movement to protect their territory and sacred sites.

Hamas issued a statement following the recent observance of the “Day of Loyalty to the Palestinian Journalist,” an annual event organized by the Government Media Office in Gaza. This occasion is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of journalists who report on the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, highlighting their role in documenting the ongoing struggles Palestinians face under what is described as a genocidal war by the occupying forces.

The statement also praised Palestinian journalists for their courage in reporting the reality on the ground, highlighting the valor and resilience of the Palestinian people and the resistance movement. It condemned the severe acts of violence and atrocities allegedly perpetrated by the Israeli regime across the occupied territories, with a particular focus on Gaza, which has endured intensive conflict for the past 15 months.

Hamas has issued a stark warning regarding the severe risks faced by Palestinian journalists, alleging that the Israeli regime is targeting them. The group has called upon national factions and human rights organizations to take immediate action to safeguard journalists from threats such as murder, persecution, harassment, or arrest.

The resistance group stated that the Israeli regime’s actions against Palestinian journalists will neither silence them nor deter them from fulfilling their duties. The group called for accountability, urging that those responsible for crimes against Palestinian journalists be brought to justice.

The statement called upon media organizations globally to “maintain the principles of objectivity, honesty, and integrity while reporting the situation in Gaza and Palestine, and to resist any misleading narratives or falsehoods propagated by Zionist media outlets.”

Since October 2023, Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of numerous journalists. This period marked the initiation of a significant conflict, which also intensified military raids in the West Bank. Additionally, reports have emerged of several journalists either missing, detained, or injured amidst these hostilities.

Journalists on the ground face heightened risks while covering the ongoing conflict, marked by Israeli ground offensives and airstrikes. Their work is further complicated by disrupted communication lines, shortages of essential supplies, and widespread power outages.

On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated military operations in Gaza following a sudden retaliatory incursion into the occupied territories by Palestinian resistance groups.

According to recent reports, Israeli actions have resulted in the deaths of 45,541 Palestinians, predominantly comprising women and children, while leaving 108,338 others injured.

Media experts suggest that certain agencies and Western media outlets are attempting to legitimize the current military actions by Israel against Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip.