Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced on Monday that it has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging an investigation into the killing and injury of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. The complaint highlights crimes against no less than nine journalists since December 15, 2023, and the killing of over 100 journalists since October 7, 2023, allegedly by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). RSF claims there are reasonable grounds to believe that some reporters were intentionally targeted, while others fell victim to attacks against civilians.
This filing marks RSF’s third attempt to draw the ICC’s attention to the plight of Palestinian journalists since October 7 of last year. Recently, the ICC prosecutor’s office confirmed that crimes against journalists would be a part of its broader investigation into Palestine. Moreover, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan recently announced that arrest warrants have been sought for Israel’s prime minister, defense minister, and three senior Hamas leaders, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing conflict.
Earlier this month, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that at least 98 journalists had been killed in the Israel-Hamas War. These events have drawn renewed attention to the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2222 (adopted on May 27, 2015), which affirms the protection of journalists in conflict zones and underscores the essential role of free and independent media in a democratic society.
RSF’s assistant director, Antoine Bernard, emphasized the broader implications of these attacks: “Those who kill journalists are attacking the public’s right to information, which is even more essential in times of conflict.”