The Israel-Gaza conflict has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel declared war on the militant Palestinian group, launching air strikes and ground raids on the blockaded Gaza Strip. The conflict has since widened to neighboring Lebanon.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which is investigating all reports of journalists killed, injured, detained, or missing in the war, announced on Wednesday that, “As of October 18, at least 17 journalists were among the more than 4,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7, with hundreds killed in Tuesday’s hospital blast in Gaza.”

As of October 18:

• 17 journalists were confirmed dead: 13 Palestinian, 3 Israeli, and 1 Lebanese.
• 8 journalists were reported injured.
• 3 journalists were reported missing or detained.

CPJ said they are also investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing, detained, hurt or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All parties must take steps to ensure their safety.”