News Center – Journalists in conflict zones face escalating risks that threaten their lives and hinder their ability to convey the truth, making their safety one of the most prominent challenges to press freedom worldwide.

The UN Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement yesterday, Sunday, May 3, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, in which he affirmed that Gaza has turned into a “death trap” for jounalists, noting that about 300 journalists have been killed since October 2023.

He stressed that a free press is the "oxygen of open societies," pointing out that journalistic work has become fraught with danger, especially in conflict zones, where local journalists are the most capable of conveying the reality of what is happening on the ground. He called on states to investigate violations against journalists and hold those responsible accountable.

Despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025, ongoing Israeli violations continue to cause casualties. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that these violations have resulted in the deaths of 830 people and the injury of 2,345 others.

The ceasefire came after two years of military operations that began in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of more than 72,000 people and 172,000 wounded, in addition to widespread destruction affecting most civilian infrastructure.

In a related context, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights touched on the situation of journalism in Lebanon, noting that by 2026 it has become one of the most dangerous countries for media workers. This coincided with a truce that began on April 17 between Hezbollah and Israel for 10 days, later extended until May 17, yet daily violations have continued, causing casualties and the destruction of civilian homes in southern villages.