⭕ Press Statement
On World Press Freedom Day: The Occupation's Crimes Against Journalists Will Not Conceal the Truth of Its Terrorism and Criminality in Palestine. We Appreciate the Role of the Media in Conveying the Truth and Confronting Zionist Propaganda, and Call for the Activation of All Means to Prosecute Its Leaders for Their Crimes Against Journalists
As the world celebrates journalists and the international community demands press freedom, respect for its role and presence, through marking May 3 as World Press Freedom Day, the Zionist occupation continues its brutal aggression by targeting Palestinian journalists and all media outlets operating in Palestine, through deliberate killing, direct targeting, arrest, and prevention of media coverage. During the two years of genocide on the Gaza Strip, and even after the ceasefire agreement as of October 10, 2025, 262 journalists have been killed, while 50 journalists remain imprisoned in occupation prisons, subjected to the most horrific forms of physical and psychological torture, and over 500 wounded and injured, in a flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions. Such violations also reveal the extent of this usurping entity's fear from coverage of news related to the Palestinian cause that exposes its growing criminality against our land, people, and our holy sites.
We, in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), on World Press Freedom Day, pray for the souls of the martyred journalists and media professionals in Palestine and Lebanon who were killed by the Zionist terrorism. We ask Almighty Allah for the recovery of the wounded, for the imminent freedom of the prisoners and detainees, and we salute all Palestinian journalists and media professionals, inside and outside Palestine, who stand with all pride and steadfastness in performing their national duty. We recall with honor their achievements and career that expresses adherence to our national rights and principles. We affirm the following:
First: The fascist occupation government's policy of targeting journalists and Palestinian media outlets, and its escalation of crimes against them, reveals the extent of its fear from the media's impact and its role in exposing its crimes and aggression against our people. It also proves its failure to confront the clarity of the Palestinian narrative, which will remain alive and steadfast in exposing the truth of its terrorism against the Palestinian people, land, and holy sites.
Second: The freedom of journalists to convey the suffering of our people to the world and to expose the occupation's crimes is a right guaranteed by international conventions and laws, which the occupation continues to flagrantly violate without accountability or trial. It continues to prevent international media outlets from entering Gaza to convey the truth and reality to the world since the start of the genocide on Gaza in October 2023, necessitating a global action to reject, condemn, and criminalize this Zionist policy against press freedom.
Third: We commend the role of Palestinian journalists who, despite the great risks and sacrifices, have become the voice of our people in defending their rights, land, and holy sites. They have also become an icon of our people’s aspirations for freedom and independence, setting a great example of steadfastness and sacrifice in conveying the true image of the suffering of our people and exposing the occupation’s crimes, policies, and aggressive plans.
Fourth: We express our deep appreciation to all journalists and media outlets across the Arab and Muslim world and around the globe who professionally convey the truth about Palestine, its just cause and narrative, and expose the occupation’s crimes against our land, people, prisoners, and holy sites. We call upon them to continue their mission and to further strengthen the presence of Palestine, Gaza, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in their media coverage.
