Although we know that the genocide happening in Palestine did not began on October 7th, 2023—but 75 years ago in 1948, since that day, 83 (or more) journalists, photographers and other media workers like content creators and activists, have been killed to this day by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). This is roughly 1 media worker per 18 hours—an incredibly alarming rate. For contrast, 69 journalists were killed over 6 years in WW2; 63 journalists were killed in Vietnam over 20 years.
These are not just names and numbers—these were our colleagues. They had lives, dreams, and many wished to see the world, create, and to show the world the beauty of their culture.
We wish to take this time to honor and remember the Palestinian journalists, photographers and media workers that have lost their lives since October 7:
Muhammad Al-Jaja, Majd Fadl Arandas, Iyad Matar, Imad Al-Wahidi, Majed Kashko, Nazmi Al-Nadim, Yasser Abu Namous, Duaa Sharaf, Saed Al-Halabi, Ahmed Abu Mhadi, Salma Mkhaimer, Mohammed Imad Labad, Roshdi Sarraj, Mohammed Ali, Khalil Abu Aathra, Sameeh Al-Nady, Mohammad Balousha, Issam Bhar, Abdulhadi Habib, Yousef Maher Dawas, Salam Mema, Husam Mubarak, Issam Abdallah, Ahmed Shehab, Mohamed Fayez Abu Matar, Saeed al-Taweel, Mohammed Sobh, Hisham Alnwajha, Assaad Shamlakh, Mohammad Al-Salhi, Mohammad Jarghoun, Ibrahim Mohammad Lafi, Hassan Farajallah, Shaima El-Gazzar, Abdullah Darwish, Montaser Al-Sawaf, Adham Hassouna, Mostafa Bakeer, Mohamed Mouin Ayyash, Mohamed Nabil Al-Zaq, Farah Omar, Rabih Al Maamari, Ayat Khadoura, Alaa Taher Al-Hassanat, Bilal Jadallah, Abdelhalim Awad, Sari Mansour, Hassouneh Salim, Mostafa El Sawaf, Amro Salah Abu Hayah, Mossab Ashour, Ahmed Fatima, Yaacoub Al-Barsh, Ahmed Al-Qara, Yahya Abu Manih, Mohamed Abu Hassira, Mohamad Al-Bayyari, Mohammed Abu Hatab, Yazan al-Zuweidi, Mohamed Jamal Sobhi Al-Thalathini, Ahmed Bdeir, Hamza Al Dahdouh, Mustafa Thuraya, Akram ElShafie, Jabr Abu Hadrous, Mohamed Khaireddine, Ahmed Khaireddine, Mohamad Al-Iff, Mohamed Azzaytouniyah, Ahmad Jamal Al Madhoun, Mohamed Naser Abu Huwaidi, Mohamed Khalifeh, Adel Zorob, Abdallah Alwan, Assem Kamal Moussa, Haneen Kashtan, Samer Abu Daqqa, Duaa Jabbour, Ola Atallah (source).
This list sadly continues to grow as global calls for a ceasefire have not been met for 100 days.
We also wish to honour those who are still alive at the time of publishing this article, who continue to report amongst the worst catastrophe that many of us have publicly witnessed in our lifetimes. Many of these courageous people have not only lost their homes—but also their families, yet continue their journalistic work while mourning their loved ones as well as mourning the loss of the many men, women and children that have been killed.
Many of these individuals have gone far beyond documenting—they have showed up to care for orphaned children and have physically helped pull bodies out of the rubble. They have witnessed untold horrors so that we may know the truth.
Photograph by: Unknown.
Motaz Azaiza
Recently named GQ’s ‘man of the year,’ Motaz Azaiza is a brave Palestinian photojournalist striving to get out the truth about the genocide and ethnic cleansing that has been occuring since 1948. Motaz has been recognized as one of the most prominent photojournalists in Gaza, with over 18 million followers on Instagram.
“My photos traveled the world but my feet couldn’t touch my Homeland.”
This powerful quote can be read at the top of Motaz Azaiza’s Instagram page, shining a bit of light on what the people of Palestine, have endured for almost a century of genocide and exile.
Motaz has been evacuated to Qatar after spending 108 days documenting the genocide and giving all this evidence about the war crimes committed by the IOF to the world. These photos and videos will be used in trials conducted by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other trials beyond. Motaz is also continuing to support Gaza and Palestine by sharing the truth with the world along with the stories of other Palestinian survivors that have been evacuated from Gaza.
“He has become a symbol of strength, using his platform to inform and inspire others to make a change in the world.” - Becca Monaghan
“I believe he was peacefully making a cup of tea before the Israeli warplanes bombed the house”… “I don’t want to imagine, I don’t want to photograph more of this. Please take action to end this before the next cup of tea !(you know what I mean)”-Motaz Azaiza on Instagram
Motaz Azaiza is an inspiration and a beacon of hope against the slaughter of thousands of innocent people in hands of the IOF, fighting the spread of misinformation led by mainstream media.
Also honored by GQ Middle East for their journalistic work were Hind Khoudary and Wael Al-Dahdouh, both Palestinian journalists as well.
Photographer: Unknown.
Hind Khoudary is a TV reporter based in Gaza, she had been documenting the war until November 10th, 2023, when she, along with thousands of other journalists and Palestinian refugees, were forced to flee to the south of Gaza. “Our job is to document the war, to let the world know what is happening. How could we leave?” -Hind Khoudary (source).
“My husband’s family house has been hit by the Israeli forces.In this house lives Adham’s father, his uncles, and cousins. After this violent attack, 6 entire families are left displaced. Goodbye to all the beautiful memories we had here…” –Hind Khoudary on Instagram
Photograph by Belal Khaled.
Wael Al-Dahdouh works as a correspondent for Al Jazeera, bravely standing against the Israeli forces despite having lost his wife, daughter, son and grandson to an airstrike by the Israeli forces. According to Al Jazeera, "Their home was targeted in the Nuseirat camp in the center of Gaza—where they had sought refuge after being displaced by the initial bombardment in their neighborhood following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call for all civilians to move south.”
Photograph by Bisan Owda.
Bisan Owda
Bisan Owda is a 25 year old Palestinian filmmaker who has also been using her social media to inform the world of the harsh reality she and many others in Gaza are living. Despite the destruction all around Gaza she has also shared some moments of respite with her followers, like the moment when she found a group of children playing volleyball in the streets of Gaza.
Bisan continues to share videos and footage of the genocide, while also denouncing how the world continues to turn a blind eye towards the suffering of Palestinian people. “While 2 million people live in tents, schools, hospitals and streets!, In very difficult humanitarian conditions that indicate a humanitarian catastrophe that will take years to overcome, including epidemics, diseases, and the collapse of the infrastructure and social structure. How can a case be so just and clearly documented as this one and its people not receive justice for 115 days!” - Bison Owda on Instagram.
“In the picture, I am standing in the middle of the main street in the Gaza Strip, Salah al-Din Street, which connects the governorates of the Gaza Strip from north to south. It is the historical street that connected Palestine with North Africa and was called Horus Street hundreds of years ago.” -Bisan Owda. Photograph by: Unknown.
Photograph by Doaa Al-Baz.
Doaa Al-Baz
Doaa Al-Baz is another young female photographer and journalist contributor to The Observer Post in Gaza who has been sharing daily updates about the current events. Through her work she is documenting the struggles of hundreds of families seeking to survive the genocide, risking her life in the meantime while also mourning the loss of her own family.
According to The Observer Post, “Israeli Airstrikes hit her family home in Al Nuseirat Camp.The victims span from 2-year-old Hamza to 66-year-old Jamil, Doaa's uncle. The two survivors, Ezz Al-Baz and Yousra Al-Bazz, bear physical injuries, with Yousra losing her father and two siblings in the attack”.
“Pictures of injuries and children of women and children during the aggression on Gaza.” Photograph by Doaa Al-Baz
Photograph by: Unknown.
Saleh Al Jafarawi
Saleh Al Jafarawi uses social media to expose the violence being endured by the people of Gaza. His calling out of the injustices committed by the occupying forces has gotten Saleh Al Jafarawi on the Israeli army’s “red list” for potential assassination, yet despite this major risk to his safety, Al Jafarawi continues to report on the stark realities of Gaza.
Photograph by: @ali_bt77.
Abderahman Raefat Batah
One of Gaza’s youngest journalist, also known as Abboud, has been covering the genocide in Gaza since October 7th in a light-hearted manner. The 17 year old has become extremely popular in social media because of his unique catch-phrase of “Ice coffee” that he uses in almost every single one of his transmissions.
With a following of 3 million people on Instagram, Abboud continues to cover the genocide in Gaza with a very unique reporting style, getting the truth about the crimes committed by the IOF out into the world.
Ahmed Hijazi and his mother. Photo by: Unknown
Ahmed Hijazi
Ahmed Hijazi was one of the first content creators to arrive in Gaza after the first attack by the Israeli army. With more than two million followers, Ahmed Hijazi has been on site in Gaza showing the world the truth of what has happened since October 7th.
Lately, he has been focusing his work on showing what is happening inside hospitals, where children, women, men and doctors, as well as other health care providers, are suffering from the relentless attacks by the occupying forces. “What we’re witnessing will never leave me,” he said.
“What affected me the most was the newborn baby whose entire family was killed, the children selling black pepper at the doors of the UNRWA schools their families fled to and the injured child who was consoling his father in the hospital.” –Ahmed Hijazi.
“My beloved home, unjustly destroyed. It was more than walls and a roof; it was a haven of dreams, love, and countless memories. Though now in ruins, its spirit remains unbroken within us. , we stand resilient, cherishing the love and life it once held.”-Ahmed Hijazi on Instagram.
Photo by: Unknown.
Lama Jamous is Gaza’s youngest journalist. She started documenting the challenges and suffering she was going through as a displaced child due to the attacks and war crimes committed by the IOF against Palestine and soon started documenting the struggles of other Palestinian children.
With only 9 years of age, Lama Jamous' stories have gained her a following of almost 800 thousand people on Instagram.
"A few days ago it was my ninth birthday, but the circumstances of the war prevented my family from celebrating it. However, my wishes on this day are to be a journalist who conveys the suffering of my people and my family and exposes the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
I hope to God that we can get through these difficult days and that I can return to my warm bed.” Lama Jamous on Instagram.
As a community of storytellers and photographers seeking to end colonization, raise awareness and enhance the voices of the many that dedicate their lives to protect our lands, cultures and nature, Photographers Without Borders stands with every single journalist and photographer in Gaza. We honor and see your sacrifices to bring us the truth, as well as those made by our colleagues no longer with us.
May the images and stories you’ve documented be used to avenge the lives of those lost and to bring justice and freedom to Palestinians and all oppressed people throughout the world in the coming years.
