NEW YORK, October 27. /TASS/. At least 24 journalists lost their lives as a result of the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalation, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said.

"As of October 26, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 27 journalists were among more than 7,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7," the international non-governmental organization said in a statement.

Among them are 20 Palestinians, three Israelis and one citizen of Lebanon.

The situation in the Middle East has escalated abruptly after an armed infiltration of HAMAS militant from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The HAMAS movement considers this attack a response to the actions of Israeli authorities towards the Al Aqsa Mosque at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip and started carrying out strikes at the enclave and at certain areas of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes also take place in the West Bank.