From Celebration to Crossfire: The Killing of Journalist Saleh Al-Jafarawi After Gaza Ceasefire

October 13, 2025 – Palestine –

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was supposed to bring a fragile pause to months of relentless war in Gaza. For many Palestinians, including journalist Salih Al-Caferavi, it was a moment of brief relief. Just days before his death, Al-Caferavi was filmed walking through the streets of Gaza joyfully announcing the truce. His optimism, shared widely on social media, stood in sharp contrast to what would follow only three days later.

Al-Caferavi, known for documenting the realities of war on the ground, was in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood reporting on the aftermath of the conflict when he was shot multiple times and killed. Witnesses said he was clearly wearing a press vest at the time of the attack. Reports indicate that his belongings were stolen after the shooting, further deepening outrage among fellow journalists and rights groups.

His death occurred amid violent internal clashes between Hamas forces and the Doghmush clan, a powerful family network with armed factions operating in Gaza. The Doghmush clan, which has a long history of political and militant activity, has been accused of aligning with groups opposed to Hamas. The fighting erupted shortly after the ceasefire was declared, turning parts of Sabra into a battleground and leaving dozens dead, including both Hamas fighters and clan members.

Al-Caferavi, who had gained a massive online following for his on-the-ground reporting, became another casualty in a conflict that continues to claim journalists’ lives even after the guns are supposed to fall silent. His killing highlights how quickly moments of peace can fracture in Gaza, where shifting power struggles and rival factions create volatile conditions even without airstrikes.

Press freedom advocates and media organizations have called for an independent investigation into his death, stressing that his killing reflects a broader pattern: journalists are increasingly vulnerable not only during wars, but also in the chaotic aftermath of ceasefires when power vacuums emerge.

Reference – 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/13/after-israels-war-halted-who-is-clashing-with-hamas-in-gaza

https://en.haberler.com/he-announced-the-ceasefire-with-joy-the-famous-19141394/