Petition reply on the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza

Dear Petitioner,

I would like to thank you for your letter of 31 July 2025 on the need to protect Palestinian journalists while they exercise their profession in such difficult circumstances in Gaza.  The EU deplores the unprecedented number of journalists who have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, including Anas Al-Sharif, who you reference in your letter. 

Throughout this conflict, the European Union has been consistently clear that the killing of journalists is unacceptable. ‘Journalists must not be attacked’, as stressed in the Council Conclusions on EU Priorities in UN Human Rights Fora in 2024 adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 January 2024. In the 2025 edition adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 January 2025, the EU committed to remain resolute in its support for media freedom and the right of journalists and media workers to work under safe conditions, without fear of harassment, threats and violence. Following the latest killing of journalists at Nasser hospital on 26 August, I issued a statement reiterating that journalists must be protected under international law and calling on Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into this tragic incident. There have been too many fatalities in the Gaza conflict of groups that are protected under international law. 

The EU has been equally clear on the need for Israel to fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. 

Defending and promoting press freedom is a universal mission that knows no borders. The EU will remain committed to engage with governments, the media and civil society, both in international fora as well as at the local level, to take initiatives and strengthen press freedom around the world.
At the same time, the EU remained steadfast in its calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, leading to a permanent end to hostilities. The EU is ready to contribute to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict and of the UNSC resolution 2803 through the variety of the tools at its disposal, based on the EU’s longstanding engagement and substantial support for peace in the region.

The EU remains committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated efforts in the Middle East Peace Process.