Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated on Tuesday that Israel was responsible for nearly half of all journalists killed worldwide in 2025. The group reported that 29 Palestinian journalists were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza during the year. RSF’s annual report recorded 67 journalist deaths globally, a slight rise from 66 in 2024.
Read More: Number of journalists killed on duty falls in 2023 despite Gaza war
According to the Paris-based media watchdog, Israeli forces accounted for 43 per cent of all deaths, making them “the worst enemy of journalists” in its assessment. The organisation documented killings over a 12-month period starting December 2024. It highlighted that nearly 220 journalists have been killed since Israel’s Gaza campaign began in October 2023.
RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year
➡️ https://t.co/PwwAF6hvYi pic.twitter.com/0JTtVRfq0F— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) December 9, 2025
43% 2025 –
: https://t.co/Hd3VOZUA6p pic.twitter.com/4UKORKJ2NJ
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) December 9, 2025
RSF noted that the deadliest incident this year was a “double-tap” strike on a hospital in south Gaza on August 25. The attack killed five journalists, including two working with international outlets Reuters and the Associated Press. RSF said such incidents raise serious concerns about press safety amid the ongoing conflict.
Foreign journalists remain unable to independently enter Gaza unless on controlled military tours organised by Israel. Press freedom groups have repeatedly called for unrestricted access to allow independent reporting from the territory.
The report also recorded rising risks for journalists in other regions. Mexico saw its deadliest year since 2022, with nine journalists killed despite government promises of greater protection. Sudan and Ukraine also remained highly dangerous, with four and three journalists killed respectively.
Read More: Israel to reopen Gaza border amid hostage search
While global journalist deaths remain below the 2012 peak of 142 during the Syrian conflict, RSF said the current level still reflects severe threats to media workers. The organisation also reported that 503 journalists were imprisoned as of December 1, 2025, across 47 countries. China, Russia, and Myanmar had the highest numbers of jailed journalists.