The Loss of Fatima Hassouna: A Documentarian’s Final Chapters
CNN – In a devastating incident this week, Fatima Hassouna, a renowned war documentarian who had spent 18 months covering the ongoing conflict in Gaza, lost her life along with seven family members due to an Israeli airstrike. The tragedy has drawn significant attention within the media community and beyond.
A Poignant Farewell: Her Final Words
In a moving Instagram post from August 2024, Hassouna expressed her desire for her death to resonate powerfully: “If I die, I want a resounding death, I do not want me in urgent news, nor in a number with a group,” she wrote. She aspired for her legacy to leave a lasting impact, memorialized through her photographs and stories.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
On Wednesday, an airstrike targeted Hassouna’s family residence on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City, resulting in critical injuries to her parents, who survived the attack and are currently in intensive care. The Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center (PJPC) has condemned the strike, classifying it as a “crime” against journalists and a breach of international law.
“Fatima’s powerful photos documenting life under siege were published globally, shedding light on the human toll of the war,” stated the PJPC, honoring her contributions.
Military Justification and Eyewitness Accounts
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the strike targeted a member of Hamas known for orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians. They maintained that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties.
Hassouna’s cousin, Hamza, recounted the harrowing experience: “I was sitting when suddenly two rockets fell, one next to me and one in the living room. The house fell on us and everything was a disaster,” he told CNN.
Her Contributions and Legacy
With over 35,000 followers on social media, Hassouna shared compelling images that illustrated the daily struggles in Gaza amidst the conflict. She was also a central figure in the documentary “Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk,” directed by Sepideh Farsi, which is set to premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. Farsi described the film as a “window” into the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians.
Farsi reflected on Hassouna’s optimistic nature, stating that she was the last person she contacted to share the news that their documentary had been accepted into Cannes. “I thought it was a mistake when I heard about her death,” Farsi remarked, expressing the profound loss felt by her colleagues.
The Toll of Conflict on Journalists
According to the PJPC, the number of journalists killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has reached 212—an unprecedented figure that underlines the increasing dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones. The organization has urged the international community to conduct an investigation and hold accountable those responsible for such attacks.
A Community’s Remembrance
Neighbors remembered Hassouna as a proud and dedicated journalist. Um Aed Ajur, a close neighbor, questioned the reasoning behind the strike, asserting that they had no ties to militant activities. With 35 years of shared history, she remarked, “We have never heard that they are connected to any (group).”
Hassouna’s final Facebook post displayed a series of photos depicting Gaza fishermen, accompanied by a haunting poem reflecting her deep connection to her home: “From here you get to know the city. You enter it, but you don’t leave, because you won’t leave, and you can’t.”
