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The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), a regional arm of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has condemned what it described as the “relentless killing and abuses” of journalists and media workers in Gaza.
In a statement on Friday, the organisation said it was horrified by the scale of attacks allegedly carried out by Israeli forces, noting that at least 221 Palestinian journalists and media workers had been killed.
“We mourn our fallen colleagues, we recognise the trauma carried by victim journalists and we send our heartfelt solidarity to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), whose members continue to report in fear and grief,” FAJ said.
The group decried what it called a “pattern of violations with few parallels in recent history,” alleging that journalists had been killed both while on duty and at home with their families.
According to FAJ, media offices, radio stations and press vehicles had been struck, while others had been denied medical care, detained incommunicado or forced to work without protective equipment.
“These abuses are grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law.
“Israeli forces must protect journalists and other civilians, refrain from targeting the media and take active steps to prevent further harm,” the organisation said.
FAJ stressed that every attack on a journalist must be subject to “a full, independent and public investigation that leads to prosecutions of those responsible.”
It also demanded the release of detained journalists and urgent measures to guarantee safe reporting conditions, including protective equipment, evacuation arrangements and stable communications.
Reaffirming its solidarity with the PJS, which it said still has about 800 members in Gaza, FAJ pledged to continue amplifying the voices of Palestinian journalists.
It called for support to the IFJ’s International Safety Fund, which provides assistance to journalists affected by the conflict.
“To governments, continental organisations, regional bodies and UN agencies, our message is clear: act now to protect Palestinian journalists, safeguard media infrastructure and uphold the public’s right to know,” FAJ said.
“Facilitate access for independent media and humanitarian actors. Ensure that investigations lead to justice, not closed files.”
The organisation also urged states to adopt a new international convention on the protection of journalists, as proposed by the IFJ, to deliver binding guarantees for their safety and independence.
“African journalists will not look away. And we urge the world not to look away either,” FAJ declared.
