Freelance journalists in Gaza are enduring extreme hardships as they continue to report from the ground amid ongoing conflict and food scarcity. Three trusted journalists, working for the BBC, revealed their struggle to feed families, often going days without food. Despite their personal losses, including the death of relatives and displacement, they have maintained their commitment to document the crisis, with one stating, "This is the hardest time I have lived through since I was born."
Though global food security experts have not officially declared famine, UN agencies warn of impending mass starvation, attributing blame to Israel, which controls supplies into Gaza. The BBC, along with other media organizations, expressed grave concern for local journalists facing severe deprivation parallel to that which they cover.
One journalist shared the distressing reality of his autistic son asking for food in a state of hunger, while another described the lack of basic provisions for his 13-year-old sister amid contaminated water sources. Their alarming circumstances further deteriorate as food prices skyrocket; one journalist noted that daily expenses strain their limited financial resources.
Health conditions among the journalists are alarming—veteran reporters report significant weight loss and debilitating fatigue, hindering their ability to produce work. A cameraman described an almost complete inability to finish reporting due to dizziness and exhaustion, which has even led to episodes of collapse during work.
Around 200 Palestinian journalists have reportedly been killed since the conflict escalated, and many still work while facing hunger, relying on charity kitchens for limited sustenance. The blockade has made financial transactions impossible for many, exacerbating their struggles to acquire food.
The BBC and other news agencies are advocating for journalists' rights to safely report from Gaza and are joined by an international coalition urging the end of the conflict. As aid supplies dwindle amidst the crisis, the situation remains dire, with local journalists expressing the urgency of the starvation threat they now face. “It’s currently catastrophic. Hunger has reached every home,” one journalist said, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
