In another tragic incident, Hamza al-Dahdouh, the oldest son of Al Jazeera Journalist Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh died at the height of an Israeli attack in southern Gaza. Hamza, a committed journalist and cameraman for Al Jazeera was in group of reporters driving on the route between Khan Younis and Rafah when their van was hit by drone strike that killed not only Hamza but also freelance foreign journalist Mustafa Thuraya.
A Journalistic Mission:
The journalists were going to the Moraj area, northeast of Rafah , an area that was referred to as a “humanitarian zone” by the Israeli army. It is already designated as such, but recent bombings were said to have occurred in the region. Hamza had ventured out to cover the situation and post bombings, focusing on the hardships of Gazans who have been forced to flee reprisal assaults in other areas of that territory.
Israeli Strike Unfold:
Live broadcast by Al Jazeera offered the live footage of what had happened to the journalists’ vehicle after the strike, depicting clearly how bloody it was. Wael al-Dahdouh, the grieving father and chief of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau, can be seen in tears as he stands beside his son’s lifeless body in a morgue in Khan Younis. Hamza was buried later in the southern city of Rafah which marked an emotional goodbye.
Al Jazeera bureau chief's son Hamza Al Dahdouh among journalists killed in Gaza https://t.co/w6e1cZBisP
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 7, 2024
Al Jazeera Journalist Continued Reporting Amid Personal Loss:
Wael al-Dahdouh, who was wounded in a previous strike while reporting, continues working and remains dedicated to covering the on going war in Gaza. His son’s death is a personal tragedy added to his endeavors in journalism. Cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa, who was killed in a separate strike last month, adds to the difficulty of media professionals in conflict zones.
Hamza al-Dahdouh’s Last Words:
Hamza al-Dahdouh, who has been known to have a very high online profile with one million Instagram followers, posted an emotional message about his father in the post that he did just before he was involved in the sad incident. “Having such an attitude and patience do not lose hope in God’s mercy; be sure He will compensate you,” he wrote, before the tragedy darkens ahead even more.
Funeral Reflections:
Massoud Oboloops A Heartfelt Plea for Global Attention Wael al-Dahdouh, a peace activist who works on the Arab Peace Initiative’s behalf. Island giant “Access,” spearheads its building efforts in Dahlok.
Hamza’s funeral, Osama al-Farouq and Saad bin Marli Nahdi showed the depth of their loss; Wael al-Dahdouh expressed his pain at losing someone so close to him. Hamza was no longer a part of me. We were the totality of me. He was my soulmates’ soul. These are no tears of joy sadness or loss, that formed these tears are tears of humanitarianism,” he proclaimed, calling upon the global community to pay close attention to the increasingly desperate state of affairs in Gaza.
