The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released a shocking annual report revealing that a record 129 journalists and media workers were killed in 2025, with two-thirds of these deaths—approximately 86—attributed to Israeli forces. This marks the second year in a row that the number of journalist killings has reached a record high, and the CPJ noted that the majority of these fatalities involved Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Furthermore, a significant incident occurred when 31 media workers were killed in an attack on a Houthi media center in Yemen, underscoring the perilous environment that journalists face in conflict regions.

The report highlights that of the 47 killings that the CPJ categorized as targeted or "murder," Israel was responsible for 81%, emphasizing the serious risks that come with reporting in areas of conflict. The CPJ indicated that the actual number of journalist deaths attributed to such targeted killings might be higher than reported, particularly due to challenges in verification stemming from restrictions placed on access to Gaza. These findings raise urgent concerns over the safety and protection of journalists as they carry out their crucial role in reporting information in dangerous contexts.

Israel's military has not commented on the report, yet historical context suggests that their operations in Gaza often lead to significant collateral damage involving media personnel. The CPJ's documented statistics are expected to provoke global conversations around press freedom, international accountability for attacks on the media, and the overall safety of journalists in conflict zones, especially as the world approaches new standards for safeguarding press rights.