Fatima Hassouna: The Silenced Lens of Gaza

Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist, has become a powerful symbol of the risks journalists face in Gaza, and of the devastating human cost of the conflict. On April 16, 2025, Hassouna was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck her family home in Gaza City, also claiming the lives of ten of her family members, including her pregnant sister. The tragedy underscores the increasingly dangerous reality for media workers in Gaza, where more than 230 journalists have been killed since October 2023, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern history.

Hassouna was widely respected for her work documenting the lives of civilians under siege. Her photographs captured the resilience, grief, and daily struggles of Palestinians living under bombardment. Her storytelling was intimate, raw, and humane, often focusing on women and children. She was known not only for her technical skill but also for her deep compassion and commitment to truth. Her camera became a lifeline for those whose stories would otherwise go unheard.

She was also the subject of a documentary titled Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, which was scheduled to debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The documentary follows her journey as a young woman in journalism, braving constant danger to tell the story of her people. Her sudden death transformed the film into a posthumous tribute. At the festival’s opening ceremony, French actress Juliette Binoche delivered a tearful tribute, stating, “She should have been with us.”

Fatima Hassouna’s death has resonated far beyond Gaza. International journalist organizations, human rights groups, and fellow reporters have condemned the attack, calling it part of a broader pattern of targeting media workers. Her loss is not only personal to those who knew her—it is emblematic of a war that has sought to silence the very people trying to expose its truths.

Fatima’s story remains a testament to the courage of journalists who continue to report under fire, and a reminder of the pressing need for protections and accountability in war zones.