In Gaza, journalists torn between the duty to inform and the fear of being killed
More than a hundred days of war and at least 80 journalists killed since October 7, according to figures from the NGO Reporters Without Borders.
Eighteen died in the line of duty.
Others were killed in their homes, like the rest of the population, by bombs.
While the Gaza Strip is under siege and closed to the foreign press, Gazan journalists remain the only ones to tell the drama from the inside, despite the permanent risk to their lives.
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Al Jazeera journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh mourns during the funeral of his son, journalist Hamza Al-Dahdouh, after being killed by an Israeli strike, in Rafah, southern Gaza, on January 7, 2024 © IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters
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This week in Gaza, the few journalists still remaining in the enclave organized a rally to
denounce their “
deliberate targeting
” by Israel
.
It is a modest, symbolic gathering, with a handful of Gazan reporters.
Their slogan: “
Information is essential.
Coverage must continue.
»
“
The Palestinian journalist films, takes photos, documents, and shows the world the injustice in which our people live.
We are suffering crimes and a war of annihilation.
This reality embarrasses the Israeli occupying forces.
So they want to silence us.
They target us and kill us, to terrorize us,
” says Nacer, a television journalist, speaking to our collaborator in Gaza,
Rami Al Meghari
.
Unfortunately, their tactic works, regrets Sami, an independent photojournalist.
“
Imagine, as a journalist, I tried to rent an apartment and the landlord refused because I'm a target.
So, I pitched a tent with the other displaced people.
And people chased me away.
They told me: “You are a journalist, you are putting us in danger, please leave!”
“, he says.
“
We need protection
,” plead Nacer and Sami.
They call on the International Federation of Journalists to guarantee the safety of information professionals in Gaza.
Read alsoIn Gaza, Saïd Kilani, photojournalist risking his life
“
I decided to be evacuated today, I’m sorry
”
Faced with the fear of being killed in turn, a certain number of them choose to leave the Palestinian enclave.
The latest, Motaz Azaiza, who left the Gaza Strip this Tuesday morning, after having acquired great notoriety on social networks.
On Instagram, he accumulates more than 18 million subscribers.
It was on this same network that he announced his departure this Tuesday, first of all with a big smile and a touch of self-deprecation about his language tics.
“
So... It's a word I used a lot in my videos for 107 days!
“, he quips.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Motaz Azaiza مُعْتَز عزايزة ⚡️ (@motaz_azaiza)
Dressed in his bulletproof vest with the “press” logo
», However, he could not completely hide his emotion when announcing his departure.
“
This is the last time you see me in this heavy, clingy jacket.
I decided to be evacuated today.
I am sorry.
But God willing, I will come back soon and help rebuild Gaza
,” he confides before removing his press jacket, surrounded by relatives.
“
I had to leave for many reasons that you all know and others that you don't know,
” writes Motaz Azaiza in the caption of his video, in particular with reference to the danger currently weighing on journalists in the Gaza Strip.
Last week,
it was Wael al-Dahdouh, the head of the Al Jazeera bureau in Gaza
, who left after losing many members of his family in bombings, recalls our international service journalist,
Guilhem Delteil
.
Journalists, but also civilians caught up in this war, Gazan reporters find themselves in a particularly difficult situation.
Many, particularly those working for international media, seized the opportunity to leave when it presented itself.
But in doing so, “
Gaza loses its eyes
” regret some Internet users.
Because if some go out, since October 7, Israel has banned journalists from entering the Palestinian enclave.
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