SAFA — On the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists, the Palestinian Media Forum called on the United Nations and the international community to provide effective protection for Palestinian journalists and launch independent investigations into violations committed against them.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Forum said Palestinian journalists are working under “extremely dangerous” conditions, facing killing, injury, arrest, displacement and the destruction of media offices and equipment.

The Forum stressed that journalists are civilians carrying out a professional duty and are entitled to protection under international humanitarian and human rights law. It said targeting, threatening, arbitrarily detaining or obstructing journalists constitutes an attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

It warned that continued impunity for violations against Palestinian journalists undermines international protections for the press and “sends a dangerous message” about the value of Palestinian journalists’ lives and freedoms.

The Forum called for journalists to be able to work without threats or targeting and demanded independent international investigations into killings and other violations, accountability for those responsible, and the referral of relevant cases to international justice bodies.

It also called for the release of journalists held in arbitrary detention, guarantees for their legal and human rights, and free and independent access to the Gaza Strip for international media and foreign journalists.

Marking the occasion, the Forum praised the steadfastness of Palestinian journalists who continue reporting despite the risks and paid tribute to those killed, wounded, detained or displaced while carrying out their work.

It stressed that solidarity with Palestinian journalists “must not be confined to symbolic annual gestures,” but should become an ongoing international responsibility based on protection, justice and accountability.

The Forum said meaningful international protection has become increasingly urgent as Palestinian journalists continue their work amid severe restrictions on media activity and efforts to restrict the flow of images and information from the occupied Palestinian territory.