TEHRAN – On Wednesday, the Palestinian arts community lamented the tragic loss of 25-year-old photojournalist and artist Fatima Hassona, killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza.
Reports say she died along with 10 families, including her pregnant sisters, but their home was struck by what could only be described as a catastrophic attack.
This cruel incident came a day after Hassona’s life in Gaza was announced to premiere at the French Independence Film Festival, which is lined up at Cannes.
The timing of her death raises serious questions about whether she was particularly targeted by the Israeli military. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) claimed that the strike aimed to become Hamas operatives involved in attacks on soldiers and civilians. However, many analysts and critics have expressed skepticism about such claims, citing misleading narrative patterns from the IDF.
As reported, the military suggested that “before the strike, measures were taken to minimize the risk to civilians,” which is often viewed as incredible.
However, since October 7, numerous Palestinian artists and intellectuals, including journalists and media workers, have faced a fatal attack, targeting people who can portray the harsh reality of the ongoing conflict in a larger audience.
Furthermore, the Israeli government has recently confronted the unpleasant aftermath of the Academy Awards. There, four co-directors of No Other Land, a documentary revealing the atrocities of Israeli ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank, won the Best Documentary Feature Award just six weeks ago.
In response, on March 24, Hamdan Baral, one of the directors of “No Other Lands”, was attacked by Israeli soldiers and settled militants at his home on the West Bank. The incident raises concerns that there may have been a debate among Israeli officials regarding measures to prevent future international embarrassment, such as the approval of the Academy Awards. The prospect of a preemptive air strike targeting potential award nominees or festival guests is in oppressive alignment with the current oppressive thinking of Israeli ruling elites.
Fatima hoped to take part in the Cannes festival, but was excited, but was in conflict with leaving Gaza. French Iranian director Sepideh Parsi, who featured her in the documentary “Put Your Soul and Your Ow Your Walk,” expressed her sadness and revealed her efforts to ensure Hassouna’s safe movement amidst the conflict. Following the tragic news, Falsi lamented that “the whole family is dead now,” emphasizing her despair not only in Hassona, but also in the loss of the future she had dreamed of.
The atmosphere of terror surrounding Gaza journalists cannot be exaggerated. As reported, several journalists have been killed since the start of the Israeli Genocide War in October 2023.
Colleagues such as Anas Al Sharif of Al Jazeera expressed her sadness and said that Fatima had documented the atrocities of war through her powerful lens and captured the very pain of her people. Another journalist, Miqdad Jameel, urged everyone to remember Hassona’s photographs and writings that clearly described Gaza’s resilience in his suffering.
Fatima’s best friend Asma Abo emphasized her dedication and emotional depth in her work, describing her as the “eye of Gaza.” According to ABO, Fatima has the eerie ability to connect with the individuals she filmed, treating them with genuine empathy. This sentiment was reflected in a statement by the French Independent Film Association (Acid), which expressed fear and solidarity in light of her death, and described her life force as a “miracle.”
Israeli airstrikes that claimed Hassona’s life are part of a broader pattern of violence against those reporting from conflict zones. Human rights groups continue to document large civilian casualties that often contradict claims from Israeli military regarding extremist infrastructure-only targets. The Palestinian Journalist Conservation Centre highlighted that around 212 journalists have lost their lives since the conflict escalated, further explaining the significant risks faced by people in the media.
In her own words, Fatima once clarified her desire for “death loudly” and hoped that her ending mise would not be reduced to mere statistics. As the pouring of grief continues, her colleagues and friends pledge to honor her legacy by continuing to document and amplify the stories of those living in conflict. They demand accountability and make sure Hassona represents not only talented photographers, but also a symbol of resistance to witnesses, storytellers and expungement.
As the Gaza government’s media office pointed out, Hassona’s tragic fate highlights the urgent need to protect journalists. They repeated the call for accountability and protection of media workers, as their role is important in documenting the human costs of conflicts.
“Every name on the list of journalists represents a quiet voice. Fatima Hassona’s name is not Gaza, not the world, and not forgotten,” the Palestinian Journalist Conservation Centre emphasizes an order to remember her contributions to raising awareness about life and struggle in Gaza.
sab/