PARIS — According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Israel was responsible for the deaths of 29 Palestinian journalists in Gaza this year, accounting for nearly half of all journalists killed globally in 2025. The findings were released in RSF’s annual report on media freedom on Tuesday.

The total number of journalists killed worldwide this year reached 67, slightly up from 66 in 2024. RSF described Israel as the “worst enemy of journalists”, citing the military’s operations in Gaza, which have repeatedly targeted reporters and media staff.

Deadliest Attacks

The report highlighted the deadliest single incident, a so-called “double-tap” strike on a hospital in southern Gaza on August 25, 2025, which killed five journalists. Among the victims were two contributors to international news agencies, Reuters and Associated Press.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, following the Hamas attacks on Israel, nearly 220 journalists have died, making Israel the deadliest country for journalists worldwide for three consecutive years, RSF data shows. Israeli authorities maintain that their strikes target Hamas fighters and leaders, not media personnel.

RSF editorial director Anne Bocande condemned these actions, stating:

“These are not stray bullets. This is a deliberate targeting of journalists because they inform the world about what’s happening on the ground.”

Other High-Risk Countries

Aside from Gaza, Mexico experienced the deadliest year for journalists in at least three years, with nine reporters killed, despite government pledges for protection under President Claudia Sheinbaum. Other dangerous countries include:

• Sudan: 4 journalists killed
• Ukraine: 3 journalists killed

While the global total of journalist deaths is lower than the peak of 142 in 2012, largely linked to the Syrian civil war, RSF notes that reporters continue to face significant risks in conflict zones.

Journalists Imprisoned

The report also emphasized the rising threats to press freedom, with 503 journalists detained across 47 countries as of December 1, 2025. The most repressive countries for journalists remain:

• China: 121
• Russia: 48
• Myanmar: 47

RSF noted a troubling trend of journalists being smear-targeted to justify attacks, reflecting growing global hostility toward independent reporting.

Global Implications

RSF’s report underscores the critical dangers facing journalists worldwide, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza, as well as in countries with authoritarian regimes. Advocates stress that press freedom is essential for democracy and that deliberate attacks on reporters threaten the global flow of accurate information.