Ramallah: Since the start of 2025 up until the end of June, the number of Palestinian journalists killed in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has risen to 33, while the number of violations against journalists stands at 739.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a press conference held on Sunday, head of the Committee of Freedoms at the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) Mohammad Lahham said that the first half of this year witnessed a significant rise in the targeting of journalists, with 41 journalists' family members killed, 32 homes belonging to journalists demolished, and 66 journalists injured, most of them caused by rocket debris and live ammunition.

He added that the targeting has become more brutal compared to last year, taking place in shelters, tents, and even inside hospitals, which proves that the targeting of journalists stems from a systematic political decision.

Lahham cited reports that document the arrest of 25 journalists and show a notable increase in the use of direct gunfire against them, in addition to demonstrating a decline in injuries caused by tear gas in contrast to a rise in bullet wounds.

This, he concluded, is the result of a clear policy aimed at causing serious harm to journalists, adding that there were 228 recorded cases of media crews being prevented from reporting or were detained, something that reflects a systematic policy to restrict the flow of information.

The head of the Committee of Freedoms at PJS stressed that freedom is indivisible, adding that journalists in Gaza are being killed, while their colleagues in the West Bank are being confronted with violence from settlers and the Israeli occupation forces.