Supporting independent journalism in Gaza after two years of war: RSF and its partners remain on the ground

Targeted by the Israeli army, confronted with the deaths of colleagues and loved ones, and bearing witness to violence and dire humanitarian conditions, which they both endure and report on, Gaza journalists are constantly exposed to traumatic events. The destroyed infrastructure, constant insecurity and collapse of healthcare services severely limit their access to specialised assistance. Over recent months, RSF and its local partner, the Community Development and Media Center (CDMC), have implemented a mental health project designed to address the urgent psychological needs of journalists working in conditions of extreme violence. The programme, which has provided psychosocial support to 40 journalists, is tailored to the realities on the ground and is based on psychological first aid, stress management techniques and the development of peer support networks.

One of the journalists who participated in the psychological first aid training, Ansam, described it as "an important and transformative experience." She stressed that the cumulative psychological impact of the war on journalists in Gaza has created an urgent need for this type of support. Another participant, Suhad, said that psychological first aid "provides practical self-care and crisis management techniques that help reduce psychological stress and enhance journalists' ability to continue practising journalism to a high level of professionalism."

Supporting the next generation of Gazan journalists

As part of its efforts to support independent journalism in the Gaza Strip, RSF also launched the Gaza Pulse Fellowship in June 2026, together with two other partners - the Palestinian Journalists Protection Center (PJPC) and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ). This intensive two-month programme brings together 25 early-career Gazan journalists who cover events on the ground daily, often in extreme conditions and with very limited access to professional training.

The training includes topics such as the ethical reporting of conflicts, fact-checking and investigative techniques, as well as issues relating to physical, digital and psychosocial safety. Through this initiative, RSF and its partners aim to strengthen the skills, safety and resilience of journalists who continue to report from the Gaza Strip.

"The Pulse of Gaza was a unique opportunity that gave me even greater motivation to face up to reality and make a fresh start," trainee Sarah said, adding that the experience "helped me regain my self-confidence and deepen my professional understanding."Another journalist who completed the programme, Maha, highlighted its spirit of cooperation and teamwork: "Meeting trainers with such extensive knowledge and motivating enthusiasm inspired us to put forth our best effort."

"I now regularly pass this knowledge on to my colleagues"

Ezzedine, who also participated in the Gaza Pulse Fellowship, says he left with "a greater awareness of journalistic ethics and how to use them in difficult field reporting, especially the procedures for handling victims and their families with respect and protecting their dignity and showing empathy". The programme also gave him a better understanding of "how international media outlets think and how to professionally structure our ideas so they can be published without any difficulties", the journalist said, adding that he now regularly shares this knowledge with his colleagues.

RSF's ongoing support for Gaza

Since October 2023, RSF has been heavily engaged with the Palestinian journalism community in Gaza, where nearly 220 Palestinian journalists have been killed by the Israeli army, according to RSF data, with at least 68 of them targeted or killed while carrying out their work. In particular, RSF has provided professional equipment, essential for journalists to continue their work, and organises training programmes for journalists in the West Bank, where they are regularly subjected to arbitrary arrests, intimidation and surveillance.

RSF has filed five complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning war crimes committed against journalists by the Israeli army since 7 October 2023. The organisation has also joined the legal action brought by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem before Israel's Supreme Court, calling for the territory to be opened to the international press.