Gaza Government Reports 263 Palestinian Journalists Killed Since Start of War

The Gaza Government Information Office reported on September 30 that the number of Palestinian journalists killed in the ongoing conflict has risen to 263, following the death of Muhammad Abdul Aziz Al-Najjar, a broadcaster at Al-Quran Radio station affiliated with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs ^[1][2][3].

The reported death of Al-Najjar, described as occurring during Israeli military operations in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ^[4], prompted the Palestinian authority to issue a statement condemning what it characterized as the targeting of media personnel. The Government Information Office stated it held “the occupation and participating countries fully responsible for these crimes” and called for international intervention to protect journalists ^[1][3].

The figure of 263 represents a significant increase from earlier reports in the conflict. In March 2026, the Government Information Office had reported 261 journalist deaths ^[5], indicating a steady toll on media workers over the course of the extended military operations.

The reported casualties among journalists have drawn attention to the broader humanitarian impact of the Gaza conflict on civilian infrastructure and personnel. International media organizations and press freedom advocates have increasingly documented concerns about the safety of reporters and broadcasters operating in active conflict zones ^[6][7].

The Palestinian claims regarding journalist casualties have not been independently verified by international fact-checking organizations, and casualty figures from conflict zones often vary depending on methodology and source. Different organizations use different definitions for who qualifies as a journalist, which can affect total counts ^[7].

The reported deaths come amid ongoing reporting of wider humanitarian challenges in Gaza. The Government Information Office separately reported in late September that approximately 162,000 of 270,000 tents in displacement camps were damaged and unfit for use, with over 255 buildings at risk of structural collapse ^[8].

The protection of journalists in conflict zones remains a contested issue in international humanitarian law. While press freedom advocates argue that media workers should receive special protections under the Geneva Conventions, military forces contend that journalists embedded with or supporting armed groups may lose civilian protections ^[7].