Palestinian journalists have been awarded the 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom, a press freedom honor presented by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). Palestinian photographers Mohammed Abed and Mohammed Salem accepted the award in Gaza on behalf of their colleagues. The recognition was jointly given to journalists from AFP, Associated Press, and Reuters who reported from Gaza.

WAN-IFRA stated that the award acknowledges the resilience of Palestinian journalists and honors those killed or injured while covering the Israeli assaults in the Gaza Strip. The organization emphasized the journalists’ courage in documenting the humanitarian crisis amid ongoing violence.

According to Reporters Without Borders, more than 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since October 2023, underscoring the extreme risks faced by media professionals in the region.