Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Archives

‘Stop Killing Our Journalists’

CrossFireArabia
May 4, 2026

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate in the Gaza Strip held a protest Sunday calling for international protection for reporters and an end to Israel’s “genocide” against media workers amid the ongoing war since October 2023.

Coinciding with the World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the rally took place outside a solidarity tent run by the syndicate in the courtyard of the destroyed Rashad al-Shawa Cultural Center in western Gaza City.

Journalists, correspondents from local and international outlets, and representatives of media and rights organizations took part, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Participants raised banners demanding protection for journalists, an end to direct targeting, and guarantees for press freedom under “extremely dangerous” security and humanitarian conditions.

The Israeli genocidal war on Gaza began on Oct. 8, 2023, and has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded over 172,000, including women and children.

Despite a ceasefire in effect since October 2025, Israel continues daily strikes and a blockade that has killed hundreds more and worsened humanitarian conditions in the enclave, home to about 2.4 million Palestinians, including 1.5 million displaced.

Systematic targeting

Tahseen al-Astal, deputy head of the journalists syndicate in Gaza, said Palestinian journalists continue to carry out their work despite a “policy of systematic targeting” by Israel.

“The Palestinian journalist will not abandon his identity, his narrative, or his mission and will remain committed to conveying the truth to the world,” he told participants.

Threats, killings, and attacks on journalists’ families and workplaces constitute a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” Astal said.

He called on international institutions and the International Federation of Journalists to assume their legal and moral responsibilities to provide protection for reporters in Gaza.

He urged an end to “the genocide on civilians and journalists and accountability for those responsible,” warning that “impunity encourages further violations against media workers.”

Ahed Farawna, secretary of the syndicate, told Anadolu that targeting journalists in Gaza represents “one of the gravest crimes against journalism in modern history.”

He said more than 260 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the start of the war, alongside hundreds injured or detained and extensive destruction of media institutions.

Such targeting reflects a “systematic approach to silencing the Palestinian media voice,” Farawna added.

He stressed that the international community bears a moral and legal responsibility to act urgently to protect journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.

Calls for international action

Mohammad Abu Nammous, a correspondent for Al-Ghad TV, told Anadolu that more than 262 journalists have been killed by Israel since October 2023.

A number of journalists remain detained or in unclear conditions, while more than 420 have been injured during field coverage, he added.

“The (Israeli) occupation has destroyed most media offices, causing major paralysis in the media infrastructure inside the enclave,” he said.

“These figures reflect a policy targeting press freedom and restricting access to information,” he added, calling for translating international support for press freedom into concrete measures on the ground.

Nahed Abu Harbeed, a correspondent for Alkofiya TV, said journalists in Gaza continue to work “despite significant risks.”

“They operate under direct threat of bombardment and targeting,” she told Anadolu.

Many journalists have lost colleagues during the war, yet continue their work out of a commitment to conveying the truth and documenting violations, she added.

In addition to daily bombardment, Israel continues to block the entry of agreed-upon quantities of food, medicine, medical supplies, and shelter materials into Gaza, where about 2.4 million Palestinians—including 1.5 million displaced—face dire conditions.

Features

‘Living Graves’, Is How Palestinian Journalist Describes Israeli Prison

CrossFireArabia
May 2, 2026

Veteran Palestinian journalist Ali Samoudi described Israeli prisons as “living graves” after his release on Thursday, appearing in severely deteriorated physical condition following his arrest by Israeli forces last year.

Samoudi, who worked for the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds and international media outlets, said he lost 60 kilograms (about 132 pounds) while in Israeli prison. “My weight was 120 kilograms (about 264 pounds); now my weight is 60 kilograms,” Samoudi said.

According to Samoudi, prison conditions were harsh and cruel, and prisoners suffered. “The food is very bad. Even a cat would not eat what they eat,” he said. “Prisoners have nothing. No notebook, no pen, nothing,” he added, calling on the families of detainees to take care of their well-being.

He was arrested in April 2025 on false claims of transferring funds to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Samoudi and his family strongly denied the allegations.

In a statement issued in January, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said al-Samoudi has not been granted a fair trial and that his arrest is “a blatant violation of international law and press freedom”.

The syndicate also warned “that his life is now at risk” due to the harsh and inhumane treatment he has been experiencing in prison.

Samoudi’s son, Mohammed, said his father was an “independent journalist who isn’t affiliated with any party,” adding he was “surprised to hear him being accused of ties with Islamic Jihad. I was in shock.”

Mohammed said the forces raided their home at around 5 A.M., searched the premises and destroyed some of the family’s belongings before taking his father away. He said he didn’t know where his father is being held, but said the family is particularly worried because he is diabetic and suffers from high blood pressure, and therefore needs a special diet and medications.

On May 8, 2025, Wafa reported that an Israeli court had issued an administrative detention order against him for a period of six months.

This was because the Israeli army said it did not have “sufficient evidence” to formally charge him and had hence issued an administrative detention order.

In a statement issued to the United States news group CNN, the Israeli army said: “As sufficient evidence was not found against him, and in light of the accumulated intelligence material, security authorities requested to consider issuing an administrative detention order.”

The military claimed the order was justified as Samoudi’s “presence” posed “a danger to the security of the region”.

Since then, Samoudi has been held in administrative detention and his detention order has been repeatedly renewed.

Samoudi also witnessed the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin in 2022 and was himself injured that day.

“I was there personally and witnessed the whole thing,” he said about the killing of his colleague. “There was no one there apart from the Israeli force, and they were the ones who shot at us.”

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said Samoudi is among more than 3,530 Palestinians held under administrative detention, in addition to over 40 journalists still held in Israeli prisons, including four women.

The group renewed calls for the release of all detained journalists and urged the international community to take responsibility for ongoing violations against prisoners.

More than 9,600 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, including women and children, facing torture, starvation and medical neglect, which have led to the deaths of dozens, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups. – Quds News Network