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UNESCO on Thursday awarded its world press freedom prize to all Palestinian journalists covering the war in Gaza, where Israel has carried out its brutal offensive for more than six months.

"In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances," said Mauricio Weibel, chair of the international jury of media professionals.

"As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression."

Audrey Azoulay, director general at the UN organisation for education, science and culture, said the prize paid "tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances".

According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least since the war broke out in October, 92 of whom were Palestinians.

"Journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks as they try to cover the conflict during the Israeli ground assault, including devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, supply shortages, and extensive power outages," the CPJ said in a statement. 

 Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, according to Israeli official figures.

Israel says that 129 captives seized by fighters during their attack remain in Gaza. The military claims 34 of them are dead.

Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed at least 34,596 people in the besieged enclave, who are mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry.