Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad ties prompt CPJ review of Gaza journalist death database

CPJ said it is reviewing its “killed” database after Hamas and PIJ published obituaries naming individuals they said were fighters—some of whom had been previously listed by CPJ as journalists or media workers. CPJ said it updates its data when new information shows a person was not, or was no longer, a journalist/media worker at the time of death, or was engaging in combat.

CPJ reported that it has removed eight names from its Killed database after later evidence established that the individuals were Hamas or PIJ combatants. It also said it removed 12 additional individuals for other reasons. CPJ said each of these 20 names had been listed on its “Journalist casualties” pages.

CPJ said it uses at least two independent sources—including desk-based research and, where possible, in-person verification—before adding someone to the database. It also said verification in person has been impossible since the war began because Israel has refused access to Gaza, including for international correspondents.

CPJ’s CEO, Jodie Ginsberg, said CPJ does not include people in its data sets if there is evidence they were engaging in combat or inciting imminent violence, and that this approach aligns with international humanitarian law’s treatment of journalists associated with non-state actors as civilians unless they directly participate in hostilities. CPJ said the review is expected to be completed in July