Starving in silence: The plight of Gaza's journalists

By bellecarter // 2025-07-23

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AFP journalists in the Gaza Strip are facing severe malnutrition and untreated illnesses, pushing them to the brink of starvation and incapacitating them from performing their journalistic duties.
The near-total blockade of Gaza since October 2023 has led to the collapse of the local economy, leaving residents, including journalists, in "utter destitution" with money but nothing to purchase.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has urged the evacuation of AFP's local staff and their families, while also advocating for international press access to Gaza to report on the situation, despite Israel's ongoing ban, citing security concerns.
The lack of food and clean water has resulted in significant weight loss, constant headaches, dizziness and extreme fatigue, severely hindering journalists' ability to work and forcing them to prioritize survival over reporting.
The crisis has garnered attention from international media and humanitarian organizations, with calls for immediate action to alleviate the "unbearable suffering" of Gaza's journalists and to address the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the conflict and blockade.

The last remaining Palestinian journalists working for Agence France-Presse (AFP) are facing a dire humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, with many on the brink of starvation. The Society of Journalists (SDJ) issued a stark warning on Monday, July 21, stating that these freelancers, who have been the eyes and ears for the world since foreign journalists were banned from Gaza, are now "no longer able to move through the enclave to do their job" due to severe malnutrition and untreated illnesses. The statement, released on the social media platform X, paints a grim picture of the conditions under which these journalists are working. "They are young, but their strength is fading," the association wrote. "Most no longer have the physical capacity to continue their work." The freelancers, who are paid by AFP, find themselves in a paradoxical situation: They have money but nothing to buy. The Gaza Strip, under a near-total blockade since the conflict escalated in October 2023, has seen its economy collapse, leaving its residents in "utter destitution." SDJ's plea comes as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for the evacuation of AFP's local staff and their families, emphasizing the need for international press to be allowed into Gaza to "show what is happening there and to bear witness." Israel, however, has maintained a strict ban on foreign journalists, citing security concerns and the need to prevent the leaking of sensitive operational information. AFP, founded in 1944, has a long history of operating in conflict zones, but the current situation in Gaza is unprecedented. "Since its foundation, AFP has never faced the horror of watching one of our collaborators starve to death," the association stated. The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's blockade, which was partially lifted in May to allow a minimal flow of humanitarian aid. However, the aid has been insufficient to meet the needs of the population and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has described the ban on foreign journalists as "unprecedented" and called for its immediate reversal.

The human cost of reporting

The impact of the crisis on AFP's journalists is profound. One of the agency's photographers, Bashar Taleb, 35, who was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize earlier this year, described the emotional toll of the situation. "I've had to stop working multiple times just to search for food for my family and loved ones," he said. "I feel for the first time utterly defeated emotionally." Another photographer, Omar al-Qattaa, 35, also a Pulitzer nominee, recounted the physical challenges of working under such conditions. "I'm exhausted from carrying heavy cameras on my shoulders and walking long distances," he said. "We can't even reach coverage sites because we have no energy left due to hunger and lack of food." The lack of food and clean water has led to a host of health issues for these journalists. Khadr Al-Zanoun, 45, a contributor in Gaza City, said he has lost about 30 kilos (66 pounds) since the war began and has suffered from constant headaches and dizziness. "I used to finish news reports and stories quickly," he said. "Now I barely manage to complete one report per day due to extreme physical and mental fatigue and near-delirium." The crisis has drawn the attention of international media and humanitarian organizations. Al Jazeera released a statement calling for "immediate action" to address the "unbearable suffering" of journalists in Gaza. "We owe it to the courageous journalists in Gaza to amplify their voices and put an end to the suffering they are enduring due to forced starvation and targeted killings by Israeli occupation forces," said Mostefa Souag, director general of the media network. (Related: Military now controls war coverage as Israel tightens grip on press freedom.)

A desperate cry for help

As the conflict in Gaza enters its 22nd month, the situation for journalists and civilians alike is becoming increasingly desperate. The pleas of AFP's journalists and the warnings from humanitarian organizations highlight the urgent need for international intervention. In the words of AFP contributor Zuheir Abu Atileh, 60, "I prefer death over this life. We have no strength left; we're exhausted and collapsing. Enough is enough." Watch the video below showing Israel's continued airstrikes in Gaza. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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The human cost of reporting

A desperate cry for help

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