Gaza Strip – 1 July 2026 – The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) concluded on Monday, 29 June 2026, a two-day training course entitled "Combating Sexual Harassment and Cyber Blackmail Targeting Journalists", bringing together 15 journalists from the Gaza Strip. The training comprised 12 instructional hours over two days.

The training was organized as part of the "Strengthening Civil Space and Social Accountability in Palestine" Project, funded by the European Union, within MADA's ongoing efforts to enhance digital safety awareness and strengthen journalists' capacity to protect themselves against online threats and cyber violations.

The training was opened by DR. AHMAD HAMMAD, a lecturer in the Department of Media at Al-Aqsa University, at the premises of Filastiniyat Foundation in central Gaza City. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the severe humanitarian and security conditions in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war of genocide, emphasizing the unprecedented challenges and negative consequences affecting journalists and their ability to carry out their professional duties.

The training addressed the growing phenomenon of cyber blackmail in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment, examining the deceptive tactics and manipulation methods commonly used by perpetrators to target victims. Participants learned how attackers exploit social media accounts and obtain personal and professional information to facilitate cyber extortion and other forms of online abuse.

DR. HAMMAD also discussed the concept of sexual harassment, its various forms, motives, and methods, as well as practical strategies for prevention and personal protection. The sessions covered best practices for securing personal and professional digital assets, including social media accounts, mobile phones, electronic devices, bank accounts, and payment cards.

He stressed that cyber blackmail has become an increasingly alarming phenomenon in the Gaza Strip, with a growing number of journalists falling victim to cybercrimes that have had serious personal and professional consequences.

DR. HAMMAD further outlined practical protection measures that journalists can adopt despite the absence of an effective legal framework capable of providing adequate protection. He emphasized the importance of preserving digital evidence whenever individuals are exposed to cyber blackmail or online sexual harassment, as such evidence may prove essential for future accountability and legal action.

He also underscored the critical role that civil society organizations and media bodies—including the Journalists' Syndicate—must play in raising awareness, advocating for victims, and providing support to journalists targeted by these crimes through awareness campaigns, guidance, and assistance, particularly in light of the declining role of oversight and security institutions.

Throughout the two-day program, participants engaged in interactive activities and practical exercises, exchanging ideas and developing initiatives aimed at strengthening digital protection mechanisms and combating cyber blackmail and sexual harassment targeting journalists.

At the conclusion of the training, DR. HAMMAD presented a series of recommendations on digital safety, including enabling two-factor authentication on online accounts, avoiding suspicious links, refraining from sharing personal information with untrusted parties, strengthening legal awareness, and making effective use of artificial intelligence tools and technologies to enhance digital security and prevent cybercrime.