The Society of Journalists at AFP has issued a stark warning about the dire health conditions faced by freelance journalists in Gaza, as they struggle to survive amid the ongoing conflict. According to the union, these journalists are not only dealing with the physical toll of war but are also experiencing severe health deterioration due to extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities. One photographer, Bashar, who works under the same conditions as other Gazans, has openly stated that he is now too weak to continue working. His body has become so frail, and he suffers from recurring episodes of severe intestinal illness, all of which are attributed to the lack of adequate hygiene and nutrition. Bashar, 30, lives in the ruins of his house in Gaza City with his mother, four siblings, and the family of one of his brothers. Their home has no amenities, and they live in constant fear due to the ongoing Israeli bombings. The situation has become so dire that Bashar has even reported that one of his brothers fell due to hunger, highlighting the extreme severity of the crisis.
The Society of Journalists at AFP emphasized that their freelance journalists receive a monthly salary from the agency, but the real issue lies in the lack of resources available to them. ‘There’s almost nothing to buy — or what is available is prohibitively expensive,’ the union stated. This scarcity of food and basic supplies has led to a severe hunger crisis, which is not only affecting journalists but also the entire population of Gaza. The union has stressed that without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die, as the international press has been banned from entering the territory for nearly two years. This has left the journalists in a vulnerable position, as they are the only ones providing a window into the suffering and conditions of the people in Gaza.
Other news agencies, including the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, have also expressed concern over the situation of their journalists in the region. AP described the situation as ‘dire’ and highlighted the immense pressure on their staff to continue reporting under such dangerous and desperate circumstances. Reuters, which is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, stated that the extreme difficulty in sourcing food has resulted in widespread hunger and illness for both journalists and civilians. The agency has taken steps to provide extra financial support to its staff to help them cope with the increasing challenges.
Despite the critical situation, the journalists continue to do their job, risking their lives to bring the story to the outside world. Their efforts are essential to keep the international community informed about the conditions in Gaza, but their safety and well-being remain a pressing concern. The AFP union has called for immediate action to prevent further losses, emphasizing that the world cannot afford to lose these journalists, who are the only ones reporting the reality of the conflict. As the crisis continues to escalate, the plight of these journalists serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for humanitarian aid and intervention.