Israel reported as linked to two-thirds of 2025 press deaths, CPJ says

The Committee to Protect Journalists says 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, and reports about two-thirds of those deaths (around 86) were caused by Israeli fire.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a record 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025. The CPJ says roughly two-thirds of those deaths were caused by Israeli fire, and it noted that many victims were Palestinians reporting from Gaza. CPJ leadership described the totals as the deadliest year since the group began collecting data and flagged concerns about impunity and opaque investigations. The Israeli military disputed the CPJ’s findings, saying it does not deliberately target journalists and criticizing the report’s data and conclusions. Key facts: - The CPJ recorded 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025, the highest total in its records. - The CPJ reports about two-thirds of those deaths (approximately 86) were attributed to Israeli fire, with over 60% of those victims described as Palestinians reporting from Gaza. - The Israeli military said it never deliberately targets journalists and described the CPJ report as based on general allegations and flawed data, adding that militants sometimes operated under civilian guises. - The CPJ documented a rise in drone-related deaths, reporting 39 drone cases in 2025, including 28 in Gaza and several in other conflict zones. Summary: The CPJ’s report documents a marked increase in journalist fatalities in 2025 and highlights concentrated losses in conflict areas and an uptick in drone-related incidents. Israeli authorities contest the report’s findings and provide a contrasting account. Undetermined at this time.