As the war on Gaza nears its third year, the numbers of those killed, injured, displaced, starved and missing continue to rise. Despite this, journalists in Gaza continue their work, ensuring that the coverage continues, even though the number of journalists killed in Gaza has surpassed 240.

“Your colleagues are waiting for you in Gaza” is a WhatsApp group launched by Palestinian journalist Moamen Qreiqa, in collaboration with a number of independent journalists. The initiative aims to put pressure to demand that foreign media be allowed into the Gaza Strip for coverage and to break the imposed blockade. In an interview with ARIJ, Qreiqa emphasized that the group shares news, videos and stories documenting the violations of the Israeli army in Gaza, while also calling for the protection of Palestinian journalists who pay a heavy price everyday.

The initiative has also launched accounts on X and Instagram under the title “The Coverage Continues”.

“The importance of this campaign, which was launched in mid-August, lies in the fact that journalists in Gaza continue their reporting with the bare minimum of resources and despite direct threats of killing and arrest. It’s a message to affirm that our honest journalism lives on, through both voice and image; that our lenses will not break, even if they’re blocked from reaching the story; and that journalism is not a crime,” says Moamen Qreiqa.

Although the campaign is still in its early stages, Qreiqa says he was surprised by the overwhelming response and support from colleagues internationally. He adds: “We receive contributions from colleagues in the form of videos and recordings from the field amid the destruction and bombing in Gaza, alongside messages from colleagues in international media entities, continuing to pressure the Israeli occupation to allow them into the Strip in the face of media blackout and the spread of misleading occupation narratives.”