By Abigail Gilbert and Sheeta Khan-boonserm
London, (PSC): The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Chelmsford held a vigil to honour the 167 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023 on August 18. While the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that 111 journalists and media workers have died during this period, the Gaza government’s media office puts the number at 165. On August 19, the tragic toll rose by two more journalists, Ibrahim Muharib, and his cameraman, bringing the total number of Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) to 167.
Muhareb, 26, was killed by gunfire and shelling from Israeli tanks that were targeting journalists. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that these tanks hit a group of journalists on their way to Hamad City, located north of Khan Yunis, where Israeli forces had launched a ground invasion. Another journalist Salma Al-Qaddoumi was injured in the attack with shrapnel in her back and transferred to hospital.
According to The Lancet, a highly regarded and independent peer-reviewed medical journal, the actual figures are likely higher, as a concerning number of civilians are still missing, and many bodies remain unidentifiable.
Except for rare, highly controlled visits supervised by the Israeli Occupation Forces, foreign media are generally barred from entering Gaza. Until recently, a UN convoy was granted access to northern Gaza to deliver crucial fuel needed to maintain essential services. The footage from this mission reveals widespread devastation, with every structure destroyed and every vehicle either crushed or burnt out. The area depicted in the video appears completely demolished and uninhabitable. Notably, no bodies were visible in the footage.
For the past 10 months, local journalists have tirelessly documented the ongoing crisis in Gaza, offering the world an unfiltered view of the unfolding horrors. PSC Chelmsford sought to honour the bravery and dedication of these individuals, who have brought global attention to the full extent of the destruction and violence in Gaza. Their courageous reporting has revealed truths that Western mainstream media has largely overlooked.
The UN Security Council stated that ‘attacks intentionally targeting journalists, as civilians, constitute war crimes.’ For PSC Chelmsford, we understand the power of knowledge, and the importance of facts and truth. We recognise the unimaginable brutality and extermination of the Palestinian people at the hands of the occupation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as activists to highlight and educate others about what is happening in Gaza, and we are committed to doing so.
Since October 7, over 94 Palestinian journalists have been arrested, with 53 remaining in detention, including 19 from the Gaza Strip. This update was shared last week during a joint press briefing by the PJS, the Al-Dammer Association for Human Rights in Gaza, and the Independent Commission for Human Rights.
PSC Chelmsford, established earlier this year by locals, has committed to maintaining pressure on the UK Government to halt the supply of arms to Israel. The organisation highlights that this occupation has repeatedly violated international law through its attacks on journalists and Palestinian civilians.
Fifteen volunteers from Chelmsford PSC gathered for the vigil, and as the event unfolded, more people from the community joined in. They stood together in silence, holding cards with the names and stories of the journalists who lost their lives in Palestine. The sight of empty press helmets and vests served as a deeply moving reminder of the sacrifices these journalists made.
(Photo credit: Sheetha Khan-boonserm PSC Chelmsford.)
