We are nearly 400 French and French-speaking journalists and media professionals who, since July, have supported the preparation of evacuation files and the reception of our Palestinian colleagues from Gaza, most of whom have well-established ties to France. Among them, some work with major newsrooms such as Le Monde, BFM-TV, Agence France-Presse or LCI. These journalists, risking their lives, have allowed the French public to access information despite the media blackout imposed by Israel, which has turned Gaza into a "lethal zone" for the profession.
On our side, we have complied with the strict requirements for preparing our colleagues' files. We collected their identity documents and proof of employment from French or foreign news organizations they have worked with. We also compiled job offers, housing guarantees and financial support attestations. Finally, we found housing to ensure they would be received with dignity.
We know them: They are deserving and principled journalists who bring honor to the profession, far removed from the image promoted by propaganda campaigns seeking to portray them as Hamas activists. In August, an Israeli media outlet revealed the existence of a "legitimization cell" within the army, which was tasked with fabricating false files linking journalists to Hamas in order to justify their execution.
According to the latest counts by recognized NGOs, 220 journalists have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza, making it the deadliest conflict in history for the press. Since evacuations were suspended, 11 more journalists have been killed. The United Nations has declared famine in Gaza, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars has passed a historic resolution recognizing that Israel's actions in Gaza meet the definition of genocide. Meanwhile, Israel has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City, and the Trump administration has proposed a plan that amounts to ethnic cleansing.
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