New York, February 12 (QNA) - The Committee to Protect Journalists has announced that 2024 was the deadliest year for journalists in modern history, as 124 journalists were killed in 18 countries around the world. The New York-based committee said that the 22 percent increase in journalist killings compared to 2023 reflects "high levels of international conflict, political unrest and crime around the world. "The committee documented the killing of 85 journalists in the Gaza Strip, "all at the hands of the Israeli army," 82 of whom were Palestinians. Jodie Ginsberg, executive director of the International Committee to Protect Journalists, said that "this is the most dangerous period for journalists in the history of the committee. "She added that "the war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists, and represents a significant deterioration in global standards for the protection of journalists. "The Committee, which has been keeping records of journalist killings since 1992, said that 24 reporters were intentionally killed because of their work in 2024. The report indicated that independent journalists were among the most vulnerable due to their lack of resources, and their number reaches 43 of the total number of journalists killed in 2024. The Committee noted that 2025 would not look any better, as six journalists were killed during the first weeks of it. (QNA)