Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza, more than 120 journalists have been killed—a figure unprecedented in history. More journalists have lost their lives in Gaza than during the Vietnam War or World War II.
However, during the Iraq War, 282 information workers died. While some of these deaths may have been accidental, as has unfortunately often been the case, contemporary conflicts increasingly see journalists being targeted and killed intentionally.
Through their reporting, these journalists have the capacity to expose serious war crimes and crimes against humanity. This was the case in Palestine, where journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by a shot to the head from the Israeli army while working in Jenin in May 2022.
No one has been held accountable for her murder. Those who wage war do not want the truth to surface. We recall investigations into the use of white phosphorus by U.S. forces in Iraq and the “Collateral Murder” video released by WikiLeaks, for which Julian Assange is still paying with imprisonment in a British jail without trial or indictment.
In modern conflicts, armed forces prefer embedded journalists who are drafted in and move along with the army. Independent journalists take their own risks, often finding that the “press” insignia on their vehicles and attire offers no protection.
As a result, our understanding of wars today is significantly limited. This is the current situation in Gaza, and the same is happening in Ukraine. Journalists from around the world are barred from entering Gaza, and those working there face great risks. In Palestine, we witness the brutal targeting of press workers.
A few weeks ago, I nominated Al Jazeera’s Palestinian journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh for the Nobel Peace Prize. In the Israeli bombings, Al-Dahdouh lost his wife, three children, and a three-month-old grandson.
He has been wounded several times and is currently in Qatar for medical treatment. Despite the tragedy of his people and his own personal losses, Al-Dahdouh, who coordinates Al Jazeera’s Gaza correspondents, has persistently continued his work. Without Wael Al-Dahdouh and his colleagues, we would be unaware of the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.
There would be no evidence or testimony of what is happening. Yet, European citizens have the right to be informed about these events and what their governments are failing to do. By remaining silent about this and other wars, we only fuel the hatred of future generations, and old Europe will continue to misunderstand.
Opinions expressed in the op-ed section are solely those of the individual author and do not represent the official stance of our newspaper. We believe in providing a platform for a wide range of voices and perspectives, even those that may challenge or differ from our own. As always, we remain committed to providing our readers with high-quality, fair, and balanced journalism. Thank you for your continued support.Sincerely, The Brussels Morning Team
