In December 2025, Israel was reported to have committed 99 violations against Palestinian journalists, according to a recent statement from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. The violations encompassed a range of serious infractions, including killings, physical assaults, arrests, and restrictions on media coverage.
The syndicate’s monthly report, released on January 7, 2026, outlined a systematic targeting of journalism in the Palestinian territories, highlighting a significant level of repression and restrictions on journalistic activities. The report indicated that one journalist was killed while on duty, and two others sustained severe injuries due to shelling and direct targeting in Gaza. Additionally, two relatives of journalists were reported to have been killed during this period.
Details of Violations and Impact on Journalistic Freedom
In the occupied West Bank, the syndicate documented 48 cases of detention and prevention from media coverage. Journalists faced 15 assaults involving tear gas and stun grenades while performing their duties. The report also detailed two attempted car ramming incidents against journalists, alongside nine instances where weapons were brandished and journalists were threatened. Furthermore, six direct verbal threats were recorded, underscoring the hostile environment journalists operate in.
The syndicate asserted that these actions reflect a systematic Israeli policy aimed at suppressing the flow of information, particularly concerning events in Gaza and key West Bank cities such as Jerusalem, Al Khalil, Jenin, and Ramallah. The report highlighted two cases of physical abuse against journalists, one incident involving the destruction of journalistic equipment, and the destruction of two journalists’ homes due to Israeli strikes.
Context of Violence Against Journalists
In addition to the documented violations, the report noted two arrests and two summonses for security interrogations. It also highlighted the role of Israeli media outlets in inciting organized campaigns against journalists, falsely linking them to armed groups. Notably, one incident involved an illegal Israeli settler attacking a Palestinian journalist while under the protection of the Israeli army, illustrating the troubling integration of roles between military personnel and settlers.
The Gaza government media office reported earlier that 257 Palestinian journalists had been killed during the Israeli military actions that began in October 2023, which lasted until a ceasefire agreement was reached in October 2025. Following the ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued to conduct operations that have resulted in substantial loss of life, with official figures from the Health Ministry indicating that 420 Palestinians have been killed and 1,184 injured since then.
The ongoing situation highlights the significant challenges faced by journalists in the region, where restrictions on freedom of the press and targeted violence continue to pose grave risks to media professionals. As these incidents unfold, the international community remains watchful of the implications for press freedom and the broader socio-political landscape in the Palestinian territories.
