Fifty-four journalists were killed while working in 2024 – with nearly one-third of deaths caused by the Israeli army, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its annual report released Thursday.
According to the Paris-based NGO, 18 journalists were killed by Israeli forces this year: 16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon.
RSF described the killings as "an unprecedented bloodbath" and claimed more than 145 journalists have died in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
Thirty-five of them were actively working at the time of their deaths.
RSF's annual report – which covers data up to 1 December – states: "Palestine is the most dangerous country for journalists, recording a higher death toll than any other country over the past five years."
The organisation has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court for "war crimes committed against journalists by the Israeli army".
Israel rejects RSF death toll
In a separate report published Tuesday, the International Federation of Journalists reported that 104 journalists have been killed worldwide in 2024, with more than half of them in Gaza.
The figures differ between the IFJ and RSF due to different methodologies used in calculating the toll.
RSF only includes journalists whose deaths have been "proven to be directly related to their professional activity".
Israel denies that it intentionally harms journalists, but admits that some have been killed in air strikes on military targets.
Government spokesman David Mercer told reporters: "We don't accept these figures. We don't believe they are correct."
After Gaza, the deadliest places for journalists in 2024 were Pakistan with seven deaths, followed by Bangladesh and Mexico with five each.
Journalists held captive
In 2023, the number of journalists killed worldwide stood at 45 in the same January to December period.
The RSF report also noted a rise in detained journalists, with 550 imprisoned worldwide as of 1 December – up from 513 the previous year.
The highest numbers are in China, which holds 124 journalists (11 in Hong Kong), followed by Myanmar with 61 and Israel with 41.
Additionally, 55 journalists are being held hostage globally. Nearly half – 25 in total – are held by the Islamic State armed group.
The report also revealed that 95 journalists are reported missing, including four new cases this year.
