UNESCO awards press prize to Palestinian journalists covering Israel's war on Gaza

AFP , Friday 3 May 2024

UNESCO on Thursday awarded its world press freedom prize to all Palestinian journalists covering Israel's months-long war on Gaza, now nearing its seventh month.

Journalism Gaza
File photo: Friends and colleagues of two Palestinian journalists Hasouna Slim and Sari Mansoor, killed in an Israeli strike, mourn over their bodies during their funeral in Deir al-Balah in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

 

"In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances," said Mauricio Weibel, chair of the international jury of media professionals.

"As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression."

Audrey Azoulay, director general at the UN organisation for education, science and culture, said the prize paid "tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances".

 

 

Israel has frequently targeted Palestinian journalists covering the Israeli war on Gaza, to cut off coverage of its atrocities and war crimes in the besieged territory.

According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 97 members of the press have been killed by Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October, 92 of whom were Palestinians.

The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) tally puts the number at least 103 Palestinians journalists, including 12 women journalists, killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza in the past five months. 

Another four journalists were reported missing, 16 journalists injured, and 25 journalists arrested.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed nearly 35,000 people and wounded 77,000 others, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

 

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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