Press watchdog CPJ reviewing Gaza casualty database over 'journalists' tied to Hamas, PIJ

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is conducting a full review of its database of journalists killed during the Israel-Hamas War after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) published obituaries identifying as combatants individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists.This follows Israeli media reports that multiple Hamas and PIJ operatives were previously identified as journalists.CPJ said it removes names from its database if subsequent evidence shows individuals were not journalists or media workers, were not active in those capacities at the time of their deaths, or were engaging in combat. This applies to all countries and conflicts, it said.Consistent with this documentation approach, CPJ has removed eight names from its “Killed” database because they were later established to have been members of Hamas or PIJ. A further 12 individuals were removed for other reasons. Each of these 20 names was listed on CPJ's “Journalist casualties” page.As of June 25, the total of individuals documented by CPJ as journalists or media workers killed by Israel in Gaza and in Israeli detention centers since October 7, 2023, stands at 209.CPJ condemns misrepresentation of combatants and journalists, 'Press' insignia“CPJ has always been clear that we do not include anyone in our data sets if there is evidence that they were engaging in combat or inciting imminent violence,” CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg said. “This is consistent with international humanitarian law, which considers journalists affiliated with non-state actors to be civilians, provided they do not directly participate in hostilities.”CPJ said it uses at least two independent sources of information: desk-based research and in-person research where possible, before adding someone as a journalist or media worker to its database.It added that in-person verification by researchers from outside Gaza has been impossible since the start of the war because Israel has refused access to the territory, including to international correspondents.“CPJ condemns in no uncertain terms the misrepresentation of combatants as journalists or media workers – or the misuse of 'Press' insignia. Such actions endanger every single individual journalist legitimately trying to report,” Ginsberg added. “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.”The review is expected to be completed in July.Israel's Foreign Ministry said, “It's official: even the Committee to Protect Journalists admits it,” adding: “Gaza 'journalists' = Hamas & Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.”A study by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center in December 2025 found that 60% of individuals who identified as journalists and were killed during the war in Gaza were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas and PIJ, which was in direct contradiction to claims made by Hamas and various non-governmental organizations.Shlomo Mofaz, the center's director, said that “the issue of Hamas's propaganda is a high priority, and it uses a lot of media outlets abroad to talk about it.”“The narrative of harming journalists is like the number of deaths – when you check the facts and figures, it's not like that. About 60% is definitely a very high figure,” he said.