The Agence France-Presse news agency reports that its freelance journalists in Gaza are experiencing ongoing health problems, while a union cautions that they are at risk of dying “without immediate intervention.”
Since 2024, AFP has collaborated with one freelance reporter, three photographers, and six freelance video journalists in the Gaza Strip, after their permanent staff evacuated the conflict-ridden area, as noted by The Society of Journalists at AFP union.
“They’re dedicating a lot of effort to find food and are feeling utterly exhausted,” Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s global news director, stated to NPR. “They mention enduring regular headaches and dizziness. Consequently, their physical capacity to reach stories is significantly impaired.”
“Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die,” the union said in its own statement. “With a few others, they are now the only ones reporting what is happening in Gaza. The international press has been banned from entering this territory for nearly two years.”
Palestinians shove to receive a hot meal at a charity kitchen in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 22, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images)
The union said each of its freelance journalists in Gaza are receiving a monthly salary from the AFP, however, “there’s almost nothing to buy — or what is available is prohibitively expensive.”
Representatives for the AP and Reuters also expressed concern for their teams there, but would not say how many people are working for them.
“We are deeply concerned about our staff in Gaza and are doing everything in our power to support them,” said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The Associated Press. “We are very proud of the work our team continues to do under dire circumstances to keep the world informed about what is happening on the ground.”
Reuters said that it is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, and that “the extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness.”
A demonstrator holds a sign reading in Arabic “a hungry journalist writes a report about the hungry” during a protest by journalists against hunger in the Rimal district of Gaza City on July 19, 2025. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images)
The agency said it is providing extra money to help them.
