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Journalists killed near Al-Shifa
The BBC said the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) estimates that about 192 journalists have been killed since the war between Israel and Gaza began on October 7, 2023, and that at least 178 of those journalists are Palestinians killed by Israel.
“- Committee to Protect Journalists removed 20 names from its database of media workers killed in the Israel-Gaza war after finding that some listed individuals had been identified as Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad combatants - CPJ said review was intended to ensure no one actively engaged in combat remained on its lists, no plans to formally redefine who counts as a journalist - Announcement drew sharp criticism from outside and within the organization, with board Nika Soon-Shiong raising concerns about the review’s scope before her departure from the board LONDON: The Committee to Protect Journalists has announced a review of its database of journalists killed in Gaza after finding that some listed individuals had been identified as Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad combatants — a decision that has drawn criticism and exposed divisions within the organization”
The BBC reported that five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif, were killed on Sunday, August 10, in an Israeli targeted strike near Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, when Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa were in a tent reserved for journalists at the main entrance.
The BBC added that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed targeting Sharif, claiming he had led a Hamas terrorist cell, while Al Jazeera and media rights groups rejected the accusation.
In the same BBC account, Sharif’s age was given as 28, and it said he was born in the densely populated Jabalia district, north of the Gaza Strip, and had been working for Al Jazeera for about two years.
The BBC also said Sharif had refused to follow Israeli evacuation orders and continued to report from the north of the territory, after which it noted he was separated from his family for long periods during the war.
CPJ review and disputes
Multiple outlets described CPJ’s review of its Gaza journalist death database after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) published obituaries identifying as combatants individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists.
The Jerusalem Post said CPJ removed eight names from its “Killed” database because they were later established to have been members of Hamas or PIJ, and that a further 12 individuals were removed for other reasons.
The Jerusalem Post also quoted CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg saying, "We are conducting a full review of the names on our lists to confirm that no one who was actively engaged in combat is listed in our data."
Newslaundry reported that CPJ announced on June 25 it was conducting a full review of its database of journalists killed in Gaza after Hamas and PIJ published obituaries identifying as combatants individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists.
Newslaundry added that CPJ said it has already removed 20 names from its database—eight because they were later established to have been Hamas or PIJ combatants, and a further 12 for “other reasons”.
Torture claims and totals
L’Humanité reported that CPJ’s report published on Thursday, February 19, revealed testimonies of 58 victims of torture, imprisoned between October 2023 and January 2026, and said the testimonies describe physical assaults, forced-stress positions, sensory deprivation, sexual violence, and medical neglect.
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L’Humanité quoted CPJ executive director Jodie Ginsberg saying, "These abuses reveal a deliberate strategy aimed at intimidating and silencing journalists, and destroying their ability to testify," and it added that she said "The persistent silence of the international community only perpetuates these abuses."
Le Devoir said CPJ recorded 129 journalists and press workers killed worldwide in 2025, attributing two-thirds of the cases to Israel, and it reported that the Israeli army rejected the allegations in the CPJ report.
Le Devoir also quoted an Israeli military spokesperson telling Agence France-Presse that the Israeli forces do not "intentionally target journalists or their relatives" and that they take "all possible measures to reduce harm to civilians, including journalists."
Le Devoir further stated that besides the Gaza war (86 journalists killed), the other two deadliest conflicts for the press were Ukraine (four deaths) and Sudan (nine deaths), according to CPJ.
