The Qatar Press Center (QPC) organised a symposium titled "Journalists in Gaza: Martyrs and Witnesses" as part of the Press Council sessions.

The session was held to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. Palestinian journalist Tamer al-Mashal, known for his investigative reports, spoke about the reality of journalistic work in Gaza and the conditions journalists face under the occupation and recurring wars. The session was moderated by journalist Abdullah al-Musalmani.

Tamer al-Mashal emphasised that what is happening in Gaza is a redefinition of the concept of press freedom, the journalist, and the ethics and standards of the profession. He pointed out that what has been happening in Gaza for more than 18 months is nothing short of a massacre. Some 216 Palestinian journalists have been killed and assassinated, and 409 Palestinian journalists have been injured.

He added: "The Israeli occupation has arrested 48 Palestinian journalists who remain missing in prisons, with nothing known about their conditions except for what leaks from some released prisoners."

He said: "The Israeli occupation forces annihilated 28 families of journalists, in addition to directly targeting and completely destroying 44 homes of journalists."

Regarding the issue of press and media institutions, Al-Mashal confirmed that 23 digital media outlets, 11 radio stations, 16 satellite channel headquarters, and 27 other media institutions were destroyed in Gaza.

Al-Mashal questioned the celebration of media freedom and the double standards in light of what is happening in Gaza. He said: "The occupation seeks to turn Gaza into a graveyard for journalists."

Al-Mashal spoke about the Israeli forces' sniper fire on all the surveillance cameras installed in front of the Al Jazeera office building in central Gaza, preventing any images from being released.

Al-Mashal recalled the targeting of colleagues Wael al-Dahdouh, Samer Abu Daqqa, Ahmed al-Louh, Hussam Shabat, and their families, emphasizing that assassination is a crime, but the greater crime is justifying the assassination.

Al-Mashal explained that the world is witnessing complex crimes that justify the assassination of journalists who do not belong to armed groups, noting that the occupation's fabrications reflect incitement and justification for its ongoing crimes.

He emphasised that Gaza's journalists are heroes who have redefined the concept of journalism, because the occupying power has been unable to prevent the spread of images, information, and truth.

Al-Mashal said: "Unfortunately, the United Nations has not protected the people in order to protect journalists in Gaza." He emphasised that Gaza is a very serious wound. People are being killed in tents and on live television, with no support.

Al-Mashal said: "The targeting of journalists, people, and stones did not begin on October 7, but rather began with the occupation. People in Gaza have been without food or drink for weeks. Elderly people are being killed right in front of their tents." He emphasised that this is not humane. "Now, in this war, we are facing a test of conscience, humanity, morals, journalism, and freedom of the press."

He said: "We realise that the pulse of the people, the pulse of the street, and the pulse of the free people of the world is with Palestine. Al Jazeera has done a tremendous job in conveying the truth to the world, despite the great sacrifices."