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January 14, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Palestinian journalist and photographer Ahlam al‑Nafed was killed by an Israeli airstrike while walking to Al‑Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza City. A dedicated frontline reporter, she had spent 100 days covering the besieged Indonesian Hospital, working for Drop Site News and other local media.
At 33 years old, al‑Nafed documented atrocities in one of Gaza’s most embattled medical facilities, capturing images and stories that brought international focus to widespread suffering. Drop Site News mourned that “through her words and images, she ensured that atrocities which might have been silenced were brought to light… She was one of the last remaining voices in northern Gaza—a voice the world desperately needed”.
Her death marks a tragic milestone: she was the 23rd woman journalist killed by Israeli bombardment in Gaza since October 2023, and part of a total of 28 women reporters killed across the entire conflict. Overall, her killing brings the death toll of Palestinian journalists to at least 205, with international records confirming around 178, and local figures citing over 200, making this conflict the deadliest ever for media workers.
The circumstances of her death—wearing visible press credentials and operating near a hospital—underscore troubling patterns. Despite international laws requiring protection of journalists and medical facilities during conflict, al‑Nafed’s killing echoes previous attacks on press vessels in Gaza. Human rights and press-freedom organizations, including the Coalition for Women in Journalism, have labeled such violence a potential violation of international humanitarian law and are demanding independent investigations.
Her final act—bearing witness from inside a besieged hospital—highlights both her courage and the existential risk faced by journalists in Gaza. With each casualty, the world’s ability to witness the human impact of the conflict diminishes. Al‑Nafed’s death is not only a personal tragedy but also a collective loss, silencing one more essential voice in a region where truth is under relentless fire.
Ahlam al‑Nafed’s death is both a profound loss and a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in Gaza. As the confirmed death toll of reporters rises above 200, there is an urgent need for accountability, reinforced protections, and continued international advocacy to protect those risking all to tell the truth.
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