RAMALLAH, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate announced on Tuesday that it documented 53 violations committed by Israeli forces against journalists during March, describing it as part of a systematic escalation targeting press freedom.
According to the syndicate’s Freedom Committee monthly report, the violations included the killing of two journalists: Amal Al-Shamali, a correspondent for Qatar Radio in Gaza, who was killed in a strike that targeted her tent, and Marwan Harzallah, a media worker at the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, who died in Israeli custody due to torture and medical neglect.
The report detailed 12 cases of detention and obstruction of coverage, eight incidents of direct targeting with tear gas and stun grenades, eight cases of physical assault, seven instances of equipment confiscation or destruction, six arrests, four home raids, as well as cases of verbal threats, interrogations, financial bail impositions, and threats with weapons.
The committee emphasized that the targeting of journalists, including killings, arrests, and physical attacks, represents a growing pattern of serious violations aimed at restricting independent media coverage amid escalating events in the Palestinian territories.
The syndicate stressed that these actions constitute violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, calling on the international community and the International Federation of Journalists to take urgent action to protect Palestinian journalists and launch independent investigations to hold those responsible accountable.
It also urged international media outlets to intensify coverage and shed light on these violations, affirming that Palestinian journalists will continue their work despite the challenges.
