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34 INTERNATIONAL AWEMainta Dialuna, 16 October 2023

Tragic Toll on Journalists Continues

as Israel-Gaza Conflict Claims 12 Lives

THE Israel-Gaza conflict

has taken a devastating
toll on journalists, with at
least 12 reporters losing
their lives and eight others

sustaining injuries in the
recent wave of violence,
according to a statement
released by the Committee

to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
on Saturday.

The surprise attack

launched by Hamas on
Israel last week plunged the
region into a renewed bout
of conflict, with journalists

caught in the crossfire. Two
additional journalists are
still missing, further under-
scoring the perils faced by

those who work to bring
critical information to the
world.

The CPJ, a global nonprofit
organization dedicated to
safeguarding press freedom,
has taken a proactive role

in investigating all reports
concerning the status of
journalists during this war.
Their efforts extend to

documenting cases of jour-
nalists who have been killed,
injured, detained, or are during these tumultuous The situation serves as a plea for the preservation of
unaccounted for, even as periods. “Journalists are poignant reminder of the a free and informed press,

hostilities have spilled over civilians doing important risks journalists face when even in the most challenging
into neighboring Lebanon. work during times of crisis reporting from conflict of circumstances.
and must not be targeted by zones. Press freedom and
Sherif Mansour, the coor- warring parties,” Mansour the safety of journalists are As the conflict continues to

dinator of the CPJ’s Middle stated. He also acknowl- paramount in upholding unfold, the world watches
East and North Africa edged the immense sacri- democratic values. with concern, hoping for
program, emphasized the fices made by journalists a swift resolution that will
critical role journalists play across the region as they The CPJ’s call for all parties bring an end to the violence

in times of crisis and the cover this significant involved to prioritize the and spare the lives of jour-
need to ensure their safety conflict. protection of journalists is a nalists and civilians alike.