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September 18, 2025 – Palestine –
Journalist Mohammad Ala’ Sawalhi was killed in Gaza City while documenting the human toll of Israel’s ongoing offensive. His death came during one of the deadliest phases of the war, as Israeli forces ordered thousands of civilians to evacuate north Gaza and opened the Salahudin Road as a so-called safe passage toward the south. Instead of safety, those who moved along these routes were often exposed to bombardment, with dozens reported dead the same day. Sawalhi was among thirteen Palestinians killed in this latest wave of violence.
According to local reports, Sawalhi was near the Shifa Hospital area, a site already devastated by repeated strikes and mass displacement, when he was fatally targeted. Witnesses described chaotic scenes of civilians carrying belongings, searching for medical aid, and fleeing renewed bombardments. Sawalhi had been documenting this reality, continuing his reporting despite the risks. His death illustrates the perils journalists face as they attempt to bear witness in Gaza, where even hospitals and supposed evacuation routes are not spared from attacks.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned his killing, describing it as part of a systematic effort to silence journalists and obstruct coverage of the war. Press freedom groups noted that his death pushes the toll of journalists killed in Gaza to over 250 since the conflict escalated in October 2023, making it the deadliest war for the press in modern history. Each loss underscores the shrinking space for independent reporting and the heightened vulnerability of those who choose to stay on the frontlines.
Reuters confirmed that Sawalhi’s death coincided with the opening of the new route out of Gaza City, part of Israel’s broader strategy to forcibly depopulate northern Gaza. For many, this episode demonstrates the contradictions of declaring safe corridors while simultaneously conducting operations that place civilians and reporters in grave danger.
Sawalhi’s passing is a reminder of the personal sacrifices made by journalists committed to documenting the truth amid destruction. His work and his life now stand as testimony to the essential role of the press, even as the cost of reporting in Gaza grows unbearably high.
Reference –
https://imemc.org/article/wednesday-journalist-among-dozens-killed-in-gaza/
