Daijiworld Media Network – Gaza

Gaza, Jul 23: French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) has issued an urgent appeal to Israel for the immediate evacuation of its freelance journalists and their families from Gaza, warning that they are facing an “appalling” and “untenable” humanitarian crisis.

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the Paris-based news agency expressed deep concern over the deteriorating living conditions of its Gaza-based reporters, who, according to AFP’s journalists’ association, are now on the brink of starvation.

“For months, we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically,” AFP stated, acknowledging the vital role of its Palestinian freelancers in reporting from Gaza after Israel imposed a ban on foreign journalists. “Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.”

The appeal comes amid growing fears that journalists in Gaza could die of hunger. The Society of Journalists, an independent body of AFP staff, said in a statement, “We fear learning of their deaths at any moment, and it is unbearable for us.”

The association highlighted the case of Bashar, a 30-year-old photographer who recently posted that his body had become weak and thin, making it difficult to work. “We refuse to watch them die,” the association declared.

Al Jazeera Media Network also released a statement on Wednesday calling on international bodies to intervene urgently. “We owe it to the courageous journalists in Gaza to amplify their voices and put an end to the unbearable suffering they are enduring due to forced starvation and targeted killings,” said Al Jazeera Director General Mostefa Souag.

The crisis has drawn alarm from humanitarian organisations as well. UK-based charity Oxfam warned that its staff in Gaza are also starving. “We are not just witnessing this crisis, we are living it,” said Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s policy lead for Palestine. “One of our colleagues went to work having eaten only a single falafel, without even water.”

The desperate pleas come as Gaza’s health officials reported that 15 Palestinians, including four children, died of starvation in the past 24 hours—raising the total death toll from malnutrition since the conflict began to 101.

Israel had blocked all humanitarian aid to Gaza in March. Though limited aid has since been allowed through the controversial GHF agency, which is backed by Israel and the US, the UN and several global aid groups have boycotted the body over safety concerns. According to the UN Human Rights Office, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed near GHF aid distribution points, most while seeking food.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the lives of Gaza’s last remaining independent voices—its journalists—now hang in the balance.