CPJ undertakes review of its documentation of journalists killed in Israel-Gaza war since 2023

New York, June 25, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is conducting a full review of its database of journalists killed during the Israel-Gaza War after militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) published obituaries identifying as combatants individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists.

In all countries and conflicts, CPJ removes names from its database if subsequent evidence shows individuals were not journalists or media workers, were not active in those capacities at the time of their deaths, or were engaging in combat.

Consistent with this documentation approach, CPJ has removed eight names from its Killed database because they were later established to have been Hamas or PIJ combatants. A further 12 individuals were removed for other reasons. Each of these 20 names is listed on CPJ’s Journalist casualties page. 

As of June 25 2006 the current total of individuals documented by CPJ as journalists or media workers killed by Israel in Gaza and in Israeli detention centers since October 7, 2023, stands at 209. 

“CPJ has always been clear that we do not include anyone in our data sets if there is evidence that they were engaging in combat or inciting imminent violence,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “This is consistent with international humanitarian law, which considers journalists affiliated with non-state actors to be civilians, provided they do not directly participate in hostilities.”

CPJ uses at least two independent sources of information, desk-based research, and in-person research where possible before adding someone as a journalist or media worker to its database. 

In-person verification by researchers from outside Gaza has been impossible since the start of the war because Israel has refused access to the territory, including to international correspondents. CPJ has advocated for Israel to lift its ban on access for international journalists, including supporting a case before the Israeli Supreme Court. 

CPJ has also repeatedly asked Israel for further information in every case documented of a journalist killed by the Israel Defense Forces. 

“CPJ condemns in no uncertain terms the misrepresentation of combatants as journalists or media workers — or the misuse of ‘Press’ insignia. Such actions endanger every single individual journalist legitimately trying to report,” added Ginsberg. “We are conducting a full review of the names on our lists to confirm that no one who was actively engaged in combat is listed in our data.”

CPJ expects its review to be completed in July.