The Israeli military says 170 individuals killed in Gaza and identified as journalists were actually members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Key facts
- •The IDF identified 170 people killed in Gaza as members of Hamas or PIJ who were presented as journalists.
- •Verification was based on documentation recovered by Israeli troops and records from terrorist organizations.
- •The military alleges some of these individuals were involved in the October 7 massacre.
- •The CPJ has removed 19 Palestinians from its list of killed journalists due to ties with terror groups.
- •RSF included names of identified militants in complaints to the International Criminal Court and memorial lists.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that 170 individuals killed during operations in Gaza, who were widely reported as civilian journalists, were affiliated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and other militant groups. The military stated these identities were verified through recovered documents and materials from terrorist organizations. According to the IDF, some of these individuals participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.
By the numbers
Evidence and Allegations
The IDF launched a website to document these findings, aiming to counter accusations that Israel deliberately targets media workers. The military claims these individuals served in roles including snipers, commanders, trainers, and propaganda agents. Some were previously employed by outlets such as Reuters, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency, and the Palestine Now News Agency.
Discrepancies in International Reporting
The IDF noted that several of these individuals appeared in databases maintained by organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and were cited in international complaints against Israel. For instance, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court in December 2023 regarding Asem Adli Ahmed al-Barsh, whom the IDF identifies as a Hamas terrorist working for Al-Rai Radio. Additionally, the IDF stated that UNESCO previously condemned the death of Mohammed Manhal Ahmed Abu Armana, identified by the military as a Hamas propaganda commander.
Timeline
- October 7The date of the Hamas-led attack in which the IDF says some of the alleged journalists participated.
- December 2023RSF filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court regarding the death of Asem Adli Ahmed al-Barsh.
- June 2024 – June 2025Period covered by an RSF memorial that included the name of a PIJ sniper identified by the IDF.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Haaretz, Jerusalem Post.
