World Press Freedom Day: Remembering Gaza's brave journalists killed by Israel for exposing the truth

Every year, UNESCO commemorates World Press Freedom Day on 3 May — a day to celebrate the crucial role of journalism in defending truth, holding those in power accountable, and promoting freedom of expression.

As we observe this day, it is important to reflect on the sacrifices made by journalists worldwide, especially those in Gaza, where the ongoing genocide has made it one of the deadliest periods for media workers in recent history.

This genocide, escalated by Israel’s military operations, has led to the deaths of over 210 journalists and media workers, with Palestinian reporters facing the greatest dangers as they endure violence, threats, and deliberate efforts to silence their voices, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Given these realities, Gaza has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists, with local Palestinian journalists being the only ones able to provide vital insights, as foreign journalists are banned and face constant bombings, destruction, and severe restrictions on movement and communication.

Although Palestinian journalists continue to report, many have endured tremendous losses, including the deaths of colleagues and friends, the destruction of their homes, and the constant risk to their own lives, all while documenting the suffering of their people under Israeli aggression.

'Waiting to be a martyr'

Among those tragically lost in Israel's targeting of Palestinian journalists is Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old journalist working for Al Jazeera Mubasher. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his car in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, on 24 March 2025.

His death drew widespread condemnation, with the Israeli military claiming he was a 'sniper terrorist' linked to Hamas — an accusation strongly denied by Palestinian journalists and human rights organisations.

Hossam’s family, especially his mother Amal and his brother Mahmoud, remember his determination to report on the ground despite the constant threats and dangers.

His mother describes him as a hero, saying, “My son is a martyr. My son has been killed. Hossam is a hero.”

She recalls how he refused to leave northern Gaza, even as Israeli airstrikes intensified, choosing instead to document the suffering of his people.

“He was waiting to be a martyr,” she says, highlighting his sense of duty and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, which drove him to continue reporting and offer humanitarian help to those affected by the genocide, despite the risks.

Mahmoud also remembers that Hossam understood the dangers from the very beginning of his journalistic career.

“The road was clear from the start — others, like Samer Abu Daqqa, Ahmed Ellouh, and Hamza El Dahdouh, had already become martyrs,” he says, noting that Hossam remained fearless in his reporting, documenting the destruction in Gaza even during the most dangerous times.

As Mahmoud shares this, Amal recalls how Hossam refused to give up his profession, even when it meant risking his life.

“He didn’t mind if he died,” she says tearfully, recalling his belief that dying for Palestine was an honour. Despite the constant danger, Hossam refused Israeli attempts to stop him from reporting, insisting that it was his duty.

'If you're reading this...'

Before Hossam’s death, his name was circulating on social media after he told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces were targeting journalists, threatening their families, and warning them to leave their work or face destruction.

His final social media posts reveal just how dedicated he was to telling the truth. In his last message, posted after his death, he wrote: “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed — most likely targeted — by the Israeli occupation forces.”

In the post, he also wrote: “I fulfilled my duty as a journalist. I risked everything to report the truth, and now, I am finally at rest — something I haven’t known in the past 18 months.”

Reflecting on 18 months of documenting Gaza’s suffering — during which he often slept wherever he could, endured hunger, and risked his life to expose the truth — Hossam described how his work involved taking photos, recording videos, and sharing news updates to reveal the devastation Gaza’s civilians were facing to the world.

He once wrote, “Getting out alive from this war was a miracle for my family,” highlighting the danger of his work, which was driven by his love for his homeland and strong sense of responsibility.

To this day, Amal and Mahmoud continue to mourn the loss of Hossam.

Amal describes Hossam as “part of my soul” and recalls the love and care she gave him as he grew up, despite many challenges, while Mahmoud emphasises that Hossam always understood the risks but remained determined to continue reporting.

“He wanted the world to see what was happening in Gaza,” Mahmoud said.

Pride and heartbreak 

Alongside Hossam, we also remember Ayman al-Jidi, a Palestinian journalist and photographer, who was killed during the genocide.

His mother, Abeer Altatar, recalls his kindness, dedication, and willingness to help others, even during the toughest times.

She recalls how Ayman, like many others, knew the dangers of reporting but continued documenting the crimes of the occupation, expressing both her pride in his work and the heartbreak she feels over his loss.

Abeer shared that Ayman had recently married during the genocide and left behind a pregnant wife and a newborn son, also named Ayman in his honour.

She added that he had planned to celebrate the birth of his child, but was killed in an Israeli attack before he could.

Commitment to exposing the truth 

Similarly, we honour Ahmed Mansour, who was tragically burned alive in a tent during an Israeli airstrike.

His colleagues and friends have spoken of his bravery and dedication.

Abed Alraouf, a close friend and fellow journalist, described Ahmed as “a steadfast and courageous journalist who dedicated his life to exposing the truth in Gaza. His burning body was a tragic reminder of the high price paid by those who seek to shine a light on the suffering of our people.”

He added, “Ahmed Mansour’s sacrifice cannot be forgotten. He was a hero who faced death every day for the sake of journalism and justice. His loss is a deep wound in our collective conscience.”

Another colleague said, “Ahmed wasn’t just a journalist; he was a symbol of resistance. His courage in the face of danger inspired many of us. His death shows the brutal reality Palestinian journalists face, but it also strengthens our resolve to continue his work.”

Silencing the truth 

As Israel continues to target Palestinian journalists, especially after violating the ceasefire deal, it is clear that the actions of the Israeli occupation are part of a broader strategy to silence the truth.

While Israeli authorities deny intentionally targeting journalists, claiming that they do not target civilians or media workers, investigations by CPJ provide compelling evidence that journalists have, in fact, been deliberately targeted.

This pattern includes the destruction of media infrastructure, the bombing of news stations, and the arrest of reporters — all actions designed to block coverage of Israeli crimes.

Speaking to The New Arab, Palestinian journalists such as Safinaz al-Louh and Salma al-Qadoumi shared their harrowing experiences.

Safinaz recounted, “During the Israeli bombardments, we had to broadcast from basements and underground shelters. We faced constant threats, but we knew our duty was to tell the world what was happening in Gaza. The danger is always near, but our resolve is stronger.”

Salma added, “We live under constant fear of arrest, detention, and even death. Israeli forces target journalists deliberately, trying to silence our voices, but we will continue to document the truth, no matter the cost.”

The Israeli government has frequently labelled journalists as terrorists, accusing them of being members of resistance groups — a dangerous allegation that puts their lives at even greater risk.

Compounding these challenges is the ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza. As a result, local Palestinian media are the only ones able to report from Gaza, with these journalists playing a crucial role in documenting the truth and resisting efforts to silence Gaza's voice.

In response, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned these actions as part of Israel’s war crimes, stressing that they aim to silence journalists and prevent the documentation of human rights violations.

Urgent call to protect press freedom worldwide 

Ultimately, the stories of journalists like Hossam, Ayman, Ahmed, and many others highlight the vital role of journalism in standing up to oppression and exposing injustice, showing the urgent need for global support to protect press freedom and safeguard the lives of Palestinian journalists.

As we observe World Press Freedom Day, we must not only honour those who have lost their lives but also recognise the ongoing struggles faced by journalists in Gaza. Their dedication to documenting the realities of genocide — often at the cost of their own lives — emphasises the critical need to protect press freedom worldwide.

Their stories remind us that the fight for truth is far from over, and the international community must continue to stand in solidarity with those who risk everything to expose injustice.

We must continue advocating for their safety, their voices, and the truth they relentlessly pursue, ensuring that their sacrifices are not in vain and that the world never turns a blind eye to Gaza's suffering.

Eman Alhaj Ali is a Palestinian freelance journalist, writer, translator, and storyteller based in Gaza with publications on a variety of international and local websites

Follow her on X: @EmanAlhajAli1