Palestinian journalists covering the Gaza war have been honored with the 2024 World Press Freedom Hero Award.
This is the first time the award has been given to a group of journalists. Among the recipients are Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera Arabic’s Gaza bureau chief, who lost his family in an Israeli airstrike, and Bilal Jadallah, a respected figure in Gaza journalism, who was killed by Israeli shelling.
The award, presented by the International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS), recognizes the courage and resilience of Palestinian journalists working under extreme conditions. Since October 2023, these journalists have continued to report despite facing airstrikes, communication blackouts, and personal losses, after Israel banned foreign journalists from entering Gaza.
At least 105 journalists and media workers have been killed in the conflict, most of them Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. The award ceremony will take place at the IPI World Congress in Sarajevo on May 23. IPI Executive Director Frane Maroević called for an end to the killing of journalists in Gaza and urged Israel to protect journalists and civilians during conflicts.