Two Journalists Killed in Gaza Strikes, Death Toll Hits 208

Two journalists, Hossam Shabat from Al Jazeera and Mohammed Mansour from The Asahi Shimbun, were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on March 24, 2025. Shabat, accused by the Israeli military of being a Hamas sniper, had previously denied such allegations, which were condemned by press freedom organizations as unfounded smear campaigns. Mansour, along with his wife and infant son, died during a missile strike in Khan Younis; his death has prompted outrage from his employer, The Asahi Shimbun, which emphasized the unacceptability of attacks on civilians and journalists. Since the escalation of conflict in October 2023, over 200 journalists have reportedly been killed in Gaza, reflecting the dire conditions under which media workers operate in the region. Both incidents have drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by journalists in conflict zones and the ongoing debate surrounding press freedoms and protections. The Committee to Protect Journalists reiterated the urgent need for accountability regarding attacks on media personnel.