Press House-Palestine

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Name

Addresses and locations

Inventory prior to 7 October 2023: status of collections, holdings and equipment

History

The Press House-Palestine was founded in 2013 by Palestinian journalists Rami Abu Jamous, Bilal Jadallah and Omar Shaaban. It is based in Gaza City, in the al-Rimal district . It is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation [1]

According to its website, Press House-Palestine has multiple objectives. It seeks to contribute to improving the quality of life for journalists in Palestine, promote freedom of expression and reject hate speech in Palestine. Finally, it seeks to raise awareness among the international, regional and local communities regarding the Palestinian community≈

Press House-Palestine also aims to serve as a platform for independent media and journalism within the Palestinian community [2]. It runs several training programmes to improve journalistic skills (particularly in the areas of research and documentation), promote networking, and raise awareness of the legal protection of journalists (in collaboration with groups of lawyers) [3].

A summary of all these objectives can now be found on the website (which is still operational): “ [The] Press House-Palestine aims to be an incubator for independent Palestinian media, to promote freedom of opinion and expression by improving the professional skills of Palestinian journalists, developing their expertise, keeping them abreast of developments in the international media, and upholding the standards of professional ethics. In addition to building a network of media professionals, intellectuals, writers, and defenders of press freedom and human rights, it also provides a space for dialogue dedicated to supporting the media and addressing community issues [4]”.

According to Ibrahim Barzak, a former Associated Press correspondent in Gaza interviewed by Léa Peruchon, the aim of Press House-Palestine was also to serve as a refuge for independent Palestinian journalists in Gaza, that is, those not affiliated with either Hamas or Fatah. Indeed, following Hamas’s victory in 2007, journalists were viewed solely in terms of their political allegiance, either to Fatah, the dominant political party, or to Hamas. It was therefore difficult for those who did not belong to either faction to obtain accreditation or attend events [5]

The institution enjoys international recognition, evidenced by regular donors and partners such as Canada, UNESCO, the European Union, Norway and Switzerland [6].

Creation

The creation of Press House-Palestine is the result of a long process, fuelled by in-depth reflection on the political and journalistic realities in Palestine. Bilal Jadallah, Rami Abou Jamous and Omar Shaaban managed to raise several thousand dollars and set about convincing the various political factions of the need to support a collective of independent and non-partisan journalists. They approached journalists, human rights activists, businesspeople and diplomats to win them over to their project [7]. In short, Press House-Palestine is made up of committed journalists, determined to create an independent news organisation in the Gaza Strip.

 
Building

According to photos visible on the Press House-Palestine Facebook account, the building that housed the organisation was small but modern and spacious. Many other media organisations tend to occupy premises in large towers. It contained several workrooms for journalists, equipped with the necessary facilities: desks, computers and visual presentation tools. There were also meeting and conference rooms of varying sizes.

An outdoor area appeared to be used for meetings, training sessions and photography exhibitions. It featured a patio with tables, chairs and computers. A post dated 17 September 2023 shows a first-aid training session taking place [8].The atmosphere is friendly: dozens of people gather around large tables to work and chat. Children can sometimes be seen in the photos, suggesting that Press House-Palestine was a warm and family-oriented space.

Facilities

The Press House-Palestine was equipped with computers, television screens and video projectors [9].

The countries supporting the project also contributed to the purchase of audiovisual equipment [10]. A photo posted on the Facebook account shows a studio with recording equipment . In another photo dated 13 August 2023, a glass-fronted cabinet containing several models of radios can be seen.

Finally, the organisation also provided safety equipment to journalists (helmets and bulletproof vests) [11].

Collections and documentary holdings

In existing images of the offices, two three-tiered corner bookcases can be seen at the back of the room against the wall, containing books, but it is impossible to make out the subjects of these works [12].

The Press House-Palestine also regularly organised photography exhibitions, which were no doubt housed in the building. For example, on 10 September 2023, there was an exhibition entitled ‘Gaza from the Sky’. Traces of this event can be found on the Facebook page [13].

Audience and activities

The Press House-Palestine organised training courses in photography, journalistic writing and television production, as well as a course in mobile journalism for young reporters [14]. It offered free and accessible workspaces, meeting rooms, and editing facilities available to all freelance journalists.

This Centre was often the first port of call for foreign correspondents arriving in Gaza, enabling them to access local translators and host the many Western diplomats [15]. It also provided moral and legal support and organised media events to highlight the numerous cases of violations of journalists’ rights during the siege of Gaza [16].

Finally, it organised events, such as the annual ‘Media Freedom Award’ ceremony [17]. This is a prize awarded by UNESCO to recognise journalists working in dangerous conditions, honouring their courage and commitment to freedom of expression [18] It was on their behalf that the president of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, Nasser Abu Bakr, accepted the award in Santiago on World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated annually on 3 May [19].

Staff before the destruction

• Bilal Jadallah, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza, was the director of Press House-Palestine and helped found the Sawa News Agency [20]. He also held a position within the Palestinian Authority, which he lost in 2007 when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip. It was during this period that he became a journalist [21]. Bilal Jadallah was killed whilst in a car struck by a shell [22]?

• Ahmad Fatima, photographer and assistant to Bilal Jadallah. He was an administrative staff member at the Press House-Palestine.

• Mohammed al-Jaja, financial director of the Press House-Palestine.

• Rami Abou Jamous is the acting director and co-founder of Press House-Palestine alongside Bilal Jadallah. Born in Beirut, he returned to settle in Gaza with his father at the time of the Oslo Accords. He runs a blog on the news website Orient XXI, ‘The Gaza Diary’, to keep the world informed of events affecting the enclave [23].

• Hatem Rawagh, head of emergency operations, photographer.

• Ahmed Qannan, trainer.

 

How the organisation operates after 7 October

Since 7 October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been in a state of total war and under a complete blockade. The international press is no longer permitted to work or investigate on the ground. Foreign journalists have had to leave the enclave, leaving only Palestinian journalists able to document the war and report on the attacks and destruction caused by the Israeli army [24].

From 7 October 2023, the Press House-Palestine teams suspended their activities and training programmes [25]. They took turns on duty to prevent any power cuts and maintain the internet connection. The Press House-Palestine served as a “refuge” where electricity and the internet were always available.

On 9 October, dozens of journalists were welcomed at the Press House-Palestine. 82 bulletproof vests marked ‘Press’ were distributed [26].

But from 11 October onwards, the Press House-Palestine began to gradually empty of the journalists working there, after an Israeli bombardment cut off the internet connection [27]

On 13 October 2023, journalists, along with their colleagues from AFP and the city’s residents, left the premises on the orders of the Israeli army and were forced to head south through the Gaza Strip [28].

 
Description of the current state, including the site, collections/holdings and equipment

First destruction: 9 October 2023 [29]
On 9 October 2023, a bombing destroyed the building next to the Press House-Palestine. This building housed one of the enclave’s main internet service providers, Paltel, a Palestinian company. The Press House-Palestine was also hit and the internet connection was permanently cut off.

Second destruction: between 1 and 10 February 2024 [30]Orient XXI
On 29 January 2024, Mohammed Salem reported that Israeli army troops were positioned about a hundred metres away with their tanks, their guns pointed towards the Press House-Palestine. Mohammed Salem testified:

It was 5 o’clock in the morning; there was a tank with its gun pointed directly at the Press House-Palestine, right at us […] For three days, I was trapped, convinced I was going to die [31].”

Taking advantage of a lull, Mohammed Salem managed to leave the area at the last minute on 1 February with his family [32]. On 10 February 2024, the financial director, Mohammed Salem, discovered the building completely destroyed.

 

Description of the destruction and damage

Building

The building is completely destroyed. Nothing remains; all the equipment has been reduced to rubble. However, none of the surrounding buildings have been damaged, suggesting that the destruction of the Press House-Palestine was intentional. According to Mohammed Salem, “the building appears to have been destroyed by explosives, because if it had been an airstrike, it would have destroyed everything around it [33]”.

 

Collections/documentary collections

We assume that the books visible in the few images taken in the meeting rooms have been destroyed.

 

Equipment

All computers, tables and radio equipment have been destroyed.

Source for the three photos above: Mohammed Salem, ARIJ on Instagram.

 

Staff killed

• Bilal Jadallah, the president of the Press House Palestine, was killed when he was struck by shrapnel (fired from a tank) that exploded near the car in which he was travelling with his brother on 19 November 2023 [34]. He died an hour after the attack.

• Ahmad Fatima, a Press House-Palestine staff member, was directly hit by a drone missile whilst he was near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza [35].

• Mohamed Ajaja, the head of administrative projects and funding applications, was killed along with his wife and all his children during the bombing of their home [36].

At the start of the war, on 9 October 2023, 80 journalists were present at the Press House-Palestine and were issued with bulletproof vests. 11 of them have died since then [37].

 

Eyewitness accounts

On the death of Bilal Jadallah on 19 November 2023, in a car hit by shrapnel.

The death of Bilal Jadallah is a huge loss, a personal loss for the Norwegian Representative Office. But it is also an inestimable loss for Palestine.”

The Press House-Palestine was a must-visit stop on the itinerary of diplomats visiting the occupied territories [38].

— Ruben Johansen, First Political Secretary at the Norwegian Representative Office in the West Bank.

I condemn the killing of Bilal Jadallah. The protection of journalists as civilians is a requirement of international law, notably United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in conflict situations. I call for a full and transparent investigation to determine the circumstances of this tragedy [39]”.

— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

 

Preservation, safeguarding, restoration

On 24 July 2024, Rami Abou Jamous announced on the Orient XXI website that he had relaunched the Press House-Palestine. At the request of the board of directors, he took the helm of the organisation, at least until the end of the war [40]

An article by Radio Canada dated 21 August 2024 reports that Acting Director Hikmat Youssef contacted the Canadian Representative Office to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to open a new office in Deir Al-Balah (central Gaza Strip), an area designated by the Israeli army as a ‘humanitarian zone’ [41].

“When Canada gave us the go-ahead, we quickly fitted out the new premises to accommodate journalists”, says Mr Youssef in a video call from Nuseirat, five kilometres from Deir Al-Balah. He adds that since the beginning of August, 70 journalists have been making use of the services offered in this space [42].

The Canadian government, through the Canadian delegation in the West Bank, has donated a total of $20,500 to Press House-Palestine. This sum covered the rent for the new premises in Deir Al-Balah for a period of six months, as well as the purchase of around thirty solar panels, enabling some thirty journalists to connect their computers simultaneously [43].

The French NGO Supernova has also been providing support since August 2024 by helping to set up training courses in displacement camps, particularly for young people [44].

 

Franck Bourgeron is an illustrator and founder of La Revue Dessinée. He recently contributed to the book 100 Drawings for Gaza, published by Massot.

 

Technical information

File number:	111
Links to other entries:	Entry 106 —Agence France Presse-Gaza Bureau File 108 — Palestinian Media Group File 113 — Al Jazeera offices in Gaza
Type:	Press agency office
Author(s):	Athéna, Cécile, Elcartemine, Hugues Jallon, Vanessa VR
Date of creation of the file:	04/10/2025
Update date(s):	17/03/2026; 28–29/03/2026; 04/04/2026

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