Overview
- The watchdog counted 67 journalists killed worldwide in the 12 months to December 2025, including 29 in Gaza attributed to Israeli forces.
- RSF identified an August 25 "double-tap" strike at a south Gaza hospital as the deadliest single incident, killing five journalists including contributors to Reuters and the Associated Press.
- Since the Gaza war began in 2023, RSF tallies nearly 220 journalist deaths linked to Israeli military actions.
- Global repression extended beyond killings, with 503 journalists detained as of December 1, led by China (121), Russia (48) and Myanmar (47), and with 135 missing and 20 held hostage.
- Mexico ranked second-deadliest with nine journalist killings in 2025, while Israel denies deliberately targeting reporters and maintains reviews of incidents as independent access to Gaza remains tightly restricted and legal challenges over access face repeated delays.