2025 the Bloodiest Year for Journalists: Gaza Tops the List of Deaths

The year 2025 witnessed a tragic increase in the number of journalists who lost their lives, with the death toll reaching 67 journalists. The largest percentage of these journalists were martyred in the Gaza Strip by fire from the Israeli occupation forces.

A report issued by an international organization concerned with the protection of journalists showed that approximately 79% of the victims fell as a result of direct actions by regular armies or armed groups, as the number of journalists killed by these forces reached 37 journalists, in addition to 16 journalists assassinated by organized crime gangs.

The organization confirmed that the targeting of journalists was not merely accidental incidents, but rather a direct result of their professional work in covering events and conveying facts.

The Director-General of the organization pointed out that the main reason behind the escalation of the targeting of journalists is the continued impunity, which encourages the commission of more crimes against journalists.

He added that the failure of international organizations to implement laws related to the protection of journalists in conflict zones reflects a decline in the political will of governments.

He explained that journalists have turned from witnesses to events into direct targets, who are targeted and liquidated.

The Gaza Strip topped the list of the most dangerous areas for journalists, where about 43% of the total number of journalists killed worldwide during 2025 were martyred. These journalists fell by fire from the Israeli occupation forces, which have killed more than 220 journalists since October 2023, including 65 who were practicing their work.

The former President of the International Federation of Journalists confirmed that Israel's systematic targeting of journalists in the Gaza Strip constitutes a double crime against humanity and freedom of expression, noting that journalists are protected under international law as civilians, and that they play a vital role in documenting events in the sector in light of the restrictions imposed by Israel on their work.

In addition to Gaza, the Russian army continued to target local and international journalists in Ukraine. In Sudan, 4 journalists were killed during the year, two of them after being kidnapped by the Rapid Support Forces.

Mexico ranked second globally in the list of the most dangerous countries for journalistic work, where 9 journalists were killed in 2025, the bloodiest year in the country in 3 years. This is attributed to the increasing influence of organized crime gangs in Latin America, which witnessed 24% of journalist killings worldwide.

In addition to murder, 503 journalists are languishing in prisons around the world as of December 1, 2025, with China topping the list with 121 detainees, followed by Russia (48) and Burma (47). Moscow holds the largest number of foreign journalists (26 Ukrainians).

In Israeli prisons, 20 Palestinian journalists are still behind bars. The report stated that Israel ranks second after Russia in the list of countries detaining foreign journalists, as 20 Palestinian journalists remain in Israeli prisons, including 16 who were arrested during the past two years in Gaza and the West Bank.

The report added that 135 journalists are still missing in 37 countries, and that 72% of disappearances are concentrated in the Middle East and Latin America.

The organization warned that impunity and the decline in governments' will to protect journalists have turned them from witnesses to events into targets for liquidation, stressing that journalists do not die, but are killed.