The world celebrates World Radio Day, which falls on February 13, at a time when the Palestinian media is suffering from an unprecedented catastrophe due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The Israeli bombardment destroyed the headquarters of 22 local radio stations, causing them to stop broadcasting completely or partially, in flagrant violation of press freedom and the public’s right to access information.
The Palestinian Media Forum stressed that during the Israeli aggression, which lasted for more than 15 months, the Israeli occupation forces systematically targeted the media infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, and destroyed the headquarters of prominent radio stations such as Sawt Al-Aqsa, Sawt Al-Quds, Sawt Al-Prisoners, Al-Rai Al-Government, Sawt Al-Shaab, Sawt Al-Watan, Alwan, and the two Holy Quran radio stations affiliated with the Islamic University and the Ministry of Awqaf, in addition to other stations that constituted a main window for the Palestinian public to follow news and field developments.
According to the forum, the material losses incurred by local radio stations are estimated at millions of dollars, as the destruction affected broadcasting equipment and equipment that are difficult to compensate due to the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, which prevents the entry of equipment and tools necessary for the resumption of journalistic work.
In addition to the bombardment, Israeli restrictions on fuel supplies, power cuts and targeting of telecommunications and internet networks have crippled the ability of these radio stations to continue operating.
