Israeli forces and illegal settlers committed 57 violations and assaults against journalists in the occupied west bank and gaza in november:sraeli forces and illegal settlers committed 57 violations and assaults against journalists in the occupied West Bank and Gaza in November, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) said on Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, the syndicate highlighted that these violations represent a "continued systematic escalation aimed at preventing media crews from carrying out their professional duties." A monthly report from the organization's Committee on Press Freedoms outlined these violations as "dangerous patterns directly targeting journalistic work and endangering journalists' lives."
The report detailed that two journalists in Tulkarem and Gaza sustained injuries from live ammunition and plastic bullets while reporting in the field. It further noted that illegal Israeli settlers were significantly involved in severe assaults across different West Bank areas, executing 22 assaults against journalists. These assaults included preventing coverage, chasing journalists, physical beatings, stone-throwing, and displaying weapons.
Additionally, the report recorded 16 instances of detention and obstruction of journalistic work, six cases of direct physical assault, four instances of equipment confiscation and forced deletion of materials, and two incidents of weapons being pointed directly at journalists. Two cases of vehicle destruction and confiscation were also noted, alongside a journalist's arrest, a home raid, and a court appearance for a journalist.
Mohammed al-Lahham, head of the Press Freedoms Committee at the PJS, stated that these figures "reflect a clear policy aimed at silencing Palestinian journalists." He urged for increased international pressure on Israel to cease daily attacks and to ensure international protection for Palestinian journalists.
Since October 2023, more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, and nearly 171,000 others injured in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict, which paused following a ceasefire agreement on Oct. 10. Additionally, at least 1,088 Palestinians have been killed and 10,700 others injured in attacks by the army and illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied territory since October 2023, with over 20,500 individuals arrested.