ARIJ announced the launch of a new annual award for journalists in the Arab world, the Resilience in Journalism Award..

The award honors journalists who show exceptional courage and determination in continuing their vital work despite unprecedented challenges. It is awarded annually to a journalist, a group of journalists or a media organization that exemplifies courage and commitment to reporting the truth under dangerous circumstances.

This year, the award went to all journalists in the Gaza, Palestine, in recognition of their efforts to cover events amid personal losses, permanent displacement and great risks during the ongoing Israeli aggression. The award recognized their dedication to reporting documented information and their pivotal role in amplifying people’s voices despite enormous challenges.

During the opening ceremony at the Dead Sea Conference Center, the award was presented to journalist Youmna Elsayed, who covered the war in Gaza, and filmmaker Ashraf Mashharawi, whose team has been covering Gaza for three decades, who received the award on behalf of all journalists. 

“We decided to stand with them and support them because there are those who want to kill and hide the truth of their criminality. To annihilate and leave no trace. We encouraged these young men and women in Gaza to go on with the task of conveying the truth to the whole world.”

Since the start of the last war in October 2023, Israel has killed more than 190 journalists in the Gaza Strip, making it the deadliest period for journalists in the history of conflicts.