TEHRAN- Osama Hamdan, Hamas’ representative in Lebanon has underscored the crucial role of journalists in the resistance and the significance of media warfare at the 24th Iran Media Expo in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla.

During the opening ceremony of the event on Sunday, Hamdan stated that media warfare is as critical as battlefield warfare, noting the sacrifice of journalists at the hands of Israeli forces due to the importance of reporting., Mehr reported. 

"The importance of reporting is greater than the importance of fighting on the battlefield, which is why the Israeli forces martyr journalists."

Highlighting the historical and ongoing impact of media in the struggle against the Zionist regime, he emphasized its role in documenting atrocities during the Al-Aqsa Intifada. He stressed that media plays a vital role in shaping the culture and consciousness of regional countries.

"Media has had an important role from the past to the present. Media activity is part of our battle against the Zionist regime."

Hamdan also acknowledged the responsibility of truthful reporting, noting the positive state of resistance after 140 days of conflict in Gaza. He shared that resistance is not only crucial on the battlefield but also in shaping the future of the region.

Expressing gratitude to the Iranian media outlets and journalists for their support of Palestine, he conveyed his pleasure at being part of the 24th Iran Media Expo audience.

The 24th edition of the Iran Media Expo kicked off in Tehran on Sunday after a six-year hiatus, bringing together over 600 media outlets, creative groups, and knowledge-based companies to showcase the latest developments in the industry. The event will run until February 21 at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla.

As of February 19, 2024, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)’s preliminary investigations showed at least 88 journalists and media workers were among the more than 29,000 killed since the war began on October 7—with more than 28,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank and 1,200 deaths in Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Reuters and Agence France Press news agencies in October that it could not guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, after they had sought assurances that their journalists would not be targeted by Israeli strikes, according to a Reuters report.

Journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks as they try to cover the conflict during the Israeli ground assault, including devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, supply shortages, and extensive power outages.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”

SAB/