Palestinian journalists covering the war in Gaza have been honored with the 2024 World Press Freedom Hero award. This marks the first time the award has been given to a group of journalists, as stated by the awarding body.
Among the recipients is Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera Arabic’s Gaza bureau chief, whose wife, son, daughter, and grandson were killed in an Israeli airstrike in October 2023. The award also honors Bilal Jadallah, known as the “father figure” of journalism in Gaza, who was killed by Israeli shelling in November 2023.
Jointly presented by the International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS), the award recognizes the “extraordinary courage and resilience” Palestinian journalists have shown in covering the Gaza war. Despite facing severe challenges, including airstrikes, communication blackouts, displacement, and personal losses, these journalists have risked their lives to report on the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
Since October 2023, Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, placing the burden of reporting on Palestinian journalists. The statement highlighted that at least 105 journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the war began eight months ago, with the vast majority being Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli airstrikes.
The number of journalist casualties in this conflict is unprecedented in modern history. The award will be presented at a special ceremony during the IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on May 23.
IPI Executive Director Frane Maroević emphasized the call for an immediate end to the killing of journalists in Gaza and urged Israel to uphold its obligation to protect journalists and civilians during armed conflicts.
