Gaza Journalists Face Starvation, AFP Seeks Evacuation
By DNNTimes Editorial Staff
GAZA — July 22, 2025
Local journalists working for Agence France-Presse (AFP) in the Gaza Strip are facing a critical humanitarian crisis, with several on the verge of starvation as the war enters yet another brutal phase. Despite receiving their wages, the worsening famine in Gaza has made food inaccessible or unaffordable, prompting AFP to call for urgent evacuation.
In an unprecedented statement, the AFP journalists’ union (SDJ) warned that the situation is “unbearable” and could lead to the first death by starvation among staff in the agency’s 80-year history.
“No one in the AFP family can recall a time when colleagues risked dying of hunger. We refuse to let that happen,” the SDJ declared.
“Too Weak to Hold the Camera”
Among those affected is 30-year-old freelance photographer Bashar, who described his deteriorating condition:
“I’ve lost all strength… I can’t even walk far to take photos anymore.”
His experience reflects that of many AFP contributors in Gaza, including reporters, videographers, and photographers who’ve continued to work under bombardment, displacement, and total infrastructure collapse.
Paid, Yet Starving
While AFP has consistently maintained payments to its freelancers, food shortages and inflation in Gaza have made basic survival nearly impossible. Witnesses on the ground describe a humanitarian collapse, with no safe access to nutrition, medicine, or aid corridors.
One videographer, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, said:
“Even with money, we can’t buy bread. The shelves are empty or prices are beyond reach.”
AFP’s Plea: Let Them Out
AFP leadership has officially requested permission from Israeli authorities to evacuate its Gaza-based staff and their families.
“We ask for the immediate and unconditional authorization to evacuate our colleagues,” AFP said in a press release.
The agency emphasized that these professionals—many of whom are award-winning and globally recognized—are in “mortal danger.”
The call for evacuation is also backed by other international media organizations, including Reuters and the Associated Press, both of which have teams at risk in Gaza.
Famine Engulfs Gaza Strip
The wider humanitarian disaster in Gaza has already resulted in over 100 deaths from hunger, according to UN reports. With many aid groups blocked from entering and supply lines cut, the territory has become a zone of total scarcity.
Children, the elderly, and now even journalists—often among the last standing witnesses of war—are succumbing to the collapse.
DNNTimes Statement
At DNNTimes, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues risking their lives to report the truth. Journalists are not just observers; they are citizens, parents, and human beings. We echo the call for their safe passage, and we urge international stakeholders to act swiftly.
