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May 25, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Palestinian journalist Hassan Abu Warda was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, marking another grim milestone in the mounting toll on media workers amid the ongoing war. Abu Warda, who worked as a freelance photojournalist, lost his life on May 19, 2025, in the northern Gaza Strip while covering the effects of the Israeli military campaign.
According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abu Warda was killed during a targeted airstrike in Jabalia, a densely populated refugee camp that has faced repeated bombardments. His death was reported as he was documenting the aftermath of earlier strikes, continuing his journalistic duties despite the immense personal risk.
Abu Warda is among dozens of journalists who have been killed since the war began in October 2023. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate confirmed that he was the 147th media worker to die in the conflict, highlighting the dangerous conditions journalists in Gaza face. Many of these journalists have been killed while on assignment, attempting to bring global attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the territory.
Tributes poured in following news of Abu Warda’s death. Colleagues described him as a dedicated and courageous reporter who remained committed to telling the stories of Gaza’s people even as danger loomed large. His death underscores the perilous reality for journalists working in war zones and has sparked renewed calls for international accountability and the protection of press workers in conflict areas.
Media rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemned the strike and reiterated their demands for an independent investigation into attacks targeting journalists. They argue that repeated strikes killing or injuring media personnel may constitute violations of international law.
As the war continues, Abu Warda’s death serves as a painful reminder of the risks faced by journalists and the essential role they play in documenting the human cost of conflict. His work, like that of many others, ensured that the world witnessed the realities of war in Gaza — a legacy that will not be forgotten.
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