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November 11, 2024 – General –
Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, Wael Al‑Dahdouh, has received the prestigious 2024 International John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award from the U.S. National Press Club in recognition of his unwavering commitment to journalism under fire.
The award, the National Press Club’s highest accolade for press freedom, was formally announced in November 2024 and presented at the club’s Fourth Estate Gala on November 21, 2024, in Washington, where President Emily Wilkins highlighted Dahdouh’s resilience and vowed continued support for journalists worldwide.
Dahdouh’s journey has been marked by extraordinary hardship. On October 28, 2023, while broadcasting live from the Nuseirat refugee camp, he learned his wife and two young children had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, along with eight other relatives. Though reeling from this loss, he returned to reporting the next day. His grief deepened when his son, Hamza, also a journalist, was killed by a drone strike on January 7, 2024.
In addition to his losses, Dahdouh has faced direct physical danger. On December 15, 2023, he and his camera operator were struck by Israeli drone fire while covering attacks on a school in Khan Yunis. Dahdouh survived with shrapnel wounds; sadly, his cameraman, Samer Abu Daqqa, did not.
Despite these tragedies, he has remained committed to keeping Al Jazeera’s coverage of Gaza alive. He ensured the bureau stayed open, broadcasting vital news under extreme conditions. His efforts even led to the shutdown of Al Jazeera’s feed in Israel, the closure of its Jerusalem bureau, and a raid on its Ramallah office by the Israeli Defence Forces.
The National Press Club emphasized that Dahdouh’s courage is “an inspiration for reporters around the world” and reiterated its pledge to support awardees long after the gala ends.
Dahdouh’s story underscores the staggering risks journalists face in Gaza. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 137 media workers have been killed since October 2023, most of them Palestinian. Many were reportedly targeted in what appear to be deliberate attacks by the IDF.
Through profound personal sacrifice and professional bravery, Wael Al‑Dahdouh embodies the essence of press freedom. His recognition by the National Press Club not only honors his resilience but also elevates global awareness of journalists’ struggle—and their critical role—in bearing witness amid conflict.
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