Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Urges Urgent Medical Evacuations for Injured Gaza Reporters

RAMALLAH /PNN/

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said journalists and media workers in the Gaza Strip are facing “exceptionally harsh conditions” amid the ongoing war, calling for the urgent medical evacuation of dozens of injured and ill reporters who cannot access adequate treatment in the enclave.

In a statement, the syndicate said journalists are operating in a highly dangerous environment marked by ongoing bombardment, displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis, alongside the collapse of large parts of the healthcare system and shortages of medicines and medical supplies. It added that the risks extend beyond being killed or wounded on the job to include severe injuries and illnesses requiring specialised treatment not available in Gaza.

The syndicate described the situation of journalists in need of medical evacuation as an “urgent humanitarian and rights issue,” particularly in cases involving serious neurological injuries, limb trauma, chronic diseases and conditions requiring complex surgery or long-term rehabilitation. It warned that delays in treatment or denial of access to care could lead to permanent disabilities or loss of chances for recovery.

The syndicate’s freedoms committee said its monitoring and documentation efforts have identified dozens of cases among journalists in Gaza requiring specialised care, with some in critical need of evacuation abroad. It highlighted the case of journalist Zakaria al-Talmas, who lost a leg and has been the subject of public appeals for treatment outside Gaza.

It also pointed to photojournalist Mohammad Faiq Abu Mustafa, who has been bedridden for more than a year after being wounded in an attack near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in August 2025 that killed five journalists. Shrapnel injuries left him paralysed in his lower limbs, and his condition remains at risk of deterioration without treatment abroad despite undergoing multiple surgeries.

In a separate case, journalist Sami Shehadeh had a leg amputated after being hit by an Israeli shell while covering the displacement of Palestinians from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. He still requires further treatment.

Speaking during a protest organised by the syndicate in Gaza, injured journalist Mohammad Naeem said Israeli authorities are effectively “sentencing wounded journalists to death” by continuing to prevent travel for medical treatment, highlighting the severe difficulties faced by those unable to access specialised care.

Deputy head of the syndicate Tahseen al-Astal said several cases, including that of journalist Hassan Jabr, require urgent intervention by the World Health Organization and relevant authorities to facilitate their transfer abroad, noting that dozens of journalists have the necessary medical referrals but remain unable to travel.

The syndicate said these cases represent only a fraction of those in need, noting that journalists require a wide range of medical services, including specialised surgeries, neurological rehabilitation, treatment for fractures and limb injuries, chronic disease management, psychological support and long-term rehabilitation, as well as prosthetics and medical equipment.

It warned that the situation is compounded by the continued deterioration of Gaza’s healthcare capacity and restrictions on patient movement through crossings, which have prevented many from accessing treatment abroad. According to the syndicate, some patients have died due to the lack of medical care, including journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi and journalist Helmi al-Faqaawi, while others suffering from chronic illnesses and cancer have faced severe difficulties obtaining treatment.

The syndicate reiterated that medical evacuation is not a privilege but a humanitarian necessity when adequate care is unavailable in conflict zones, especially in life-threatening or complex cases. It called for immediate international action to ensure safe passage for patients and their companions and to guarantee access to appropriate treatment.

It urged international organisations, including the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as press freedom groups and media organisations, to take urgent steps to facilitate medical evacuations.

The syndicate estimated that around 40 journalists in Gaza currently require treatment abroad and called for the swift establishment of a coordinated mechanism to prioritise cases, ensure timely transfers and provide comprehensive care, including rehabilitation and psychological support.

It stressed that saving the lives of injured journalists and ensuring their access to treatment is part of the broader obligation to protect civilians and media workers, warning that without urgent intervention, injuries and illnesses could become “a slow death sentence” for those unable to leave Gaza for care.