Michigan – The American Center for Justice (ACJ) reports that 188 journalists have been killed by Israeli military actions in the past year, denouncing what it describes as a severe escalation in the targeting of journalists, particularly Palestinians in Gaza, Lebanese reporters, and Yemeni journalists. ACJ expressed its deep concern and called on the international community and UN agencies to take decisive action against what it views as the systematic targeting of journalists in conflict zones.

Marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the ACJ highlighted the surge in Palestinian journalist fatalities, with 183 journalists killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023—up from 38 the previous year.

The ACJ detailed systematic violations faced by Gaza journalists, including the destruction of homes and targeting of families. More than 50 journalists' homes have reportedly been struck, with several family members among the casualties. Notable losses include the family of Wael Al-Dahdouh, an Al Jazeera correspondent who lost his wife, two children, and grandson, as well as Eyad Al-Muqayyad, who lost his wife and four children in Deir Al-Balah.

In Lebanon, five Lebanese journalists have been killed since the escalation in Gaza began in October 2023. On October 25, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residence in Hasbaya, southern Lebanon, housing local and Arab journalists, resulting in the deaths of three, including Ghassan Najjar, a cameraman for Al-Mayadeen, broadcast engineer Mohamed Redha, and Al-Manar cameraman Wissam Qassem.

In Yemen, ACJ reports an alarming wave of repression and targeting of journalists, including abductions and detentions. The Houthi group has detained several journalists in Sana’a, with their whereabouts unknown, including journalist Sahar Al-Khawlani and writer Mohamed Al-Miyahi. Meanwhile, journalist Ahmad Maher remains imprisoned in Aden after receiving a four-year sentence in a trial marked by procedural flaws and unproven charges.

The ACJ emphasized that international law provides explicit protections for journalists in conflict zones, referencing Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which prohibits attacks on journalists, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which safeguards freedom of expression. Targeting journalists, the ACJ states, violates these provisions and constitutes a punishable crime.

On this International Day to End Impunity, the ACJ calls on the global community to condemn crimes against journalists in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, and to take concrete steps to ensure their safety and uphold their right to report without fear. The organization urges the UN to deploy investigative teams to document these violations and to submit regular reports to the UN Security Council. The ACJ further underscores the importance of press freedom as a cornerstone for democracy and justice, advocating that ending impunity is essential to advancing security and protection for journalists worldwide.