International press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB) on Tuesday set out a grim toll for journalists in the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip, which started July 8.
"As Israel announces the withdrawal of its troops from the Gaza Strip, Reporters Without Borders reports that 12 Palestinian journalists and one media worker have been killed since the start of Operation Protective Edge on July 8, seven of them in connection with their work. This is the highest toll since Israel withdrew in 2005," a statement here said.
Over 1,800 mostly civilian Palestinians, including 408 children, also died in the relentless air, sea and land bombardment of Gaza.
On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers died in action and two civilians and one guest worker were killed.
"Whether these journalists and media workers were killed in indiscriminate air raids or were deliberately targeted, their deaths should be independently investigated and those responsible should be identified," Reporters Without Borders urged.
"Journalists should not be targeted by belligerents, who must respect the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1738, adopted in 2006," the press body added.