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March 24, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old Palestinian journalist, was killed on March 24, 2025, in an Israeli drone strike in northern Gaza. The airstrike hit his vehicle near the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, ending the life of a young reporter committed to documenting the horrors of war in his homeland. He was working with Al Jazeera Mubasher and Drop Site News, reporting from some of the most dangerous areas of the conflict.
In a message prepared before his death and later posted by his colleagues, Shabat wrote, “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed, most likely targeted by the Israeli occupation forces.” He recounted enduring hunger, sleeping in makeshift shelters, and reporting daily to show the world “the truth they tried to bury.” His farewell letter has since drawn global attention and tributes.
The Israeli military claimed Shabat was affiliated with Hamas and had participated in sniper training in 2019. However, press freedom organizations like Reporters Without Borders dismissed these allegations as unsubstantiated. Critics argued that even if such ties existed, they did not justify the lethal targeting of a working journalist. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay condemned the killing and called for an impartial investigation to ensure accountability.
Al Jazeera called the killing an “assassination” and pointed to a pattern of attacks on journalists in Gaza. Shabat is one of more than 170 media workers reportedly killed in the conflict since October 2023, making Gaza one of the deadliest places in the world for journalists.
Shabat’s story has become emblematic of the risks faced by Palestinian reporters who remain on the ground. His dedication, youth, and voice for the voiceless have made his death not only a personal tragedy for his family but also a symbol of the broader suppression of press freedom in war zones. As his family and colleagues mourn, calls for justice and protection for journalists grow louder in the international community.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/gaza-journalist-hossam-shabat-shares-final-message-after-death
