Like many others currently residing in the Gaza Strip, photojournalist Mohammed Zaanoun, journalist Maha Hussaini, and journalist Mohamed Soulaimane are living moment by moment, filled with apprehension about potential threats from above. Despite the constant fear, they persist in capturing and sharing images, videos, and audio recordings to shed light on the harsh realities faced by the people in that region. Below is their most recent update:
8 March 2024 – ‘Mothers Helplessly Witnessing Their Children Starve to Death’
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Maha Hussaini reported on the plight of women in Gaza and how it has impacted her work as a female journalist. Displaced multiple times since October 7, she currently resides in a cramped shelter with numerous women and children, uncertain of when they might have to flee once more. The dangers faced by Maha as a female journalist are palpable, especially after interviewing women who were mistreated while in Israeli custody. Alongside security concerns, women and children in Gaza are confronting hunger and malnutrition, with experts warning of a looming famine.
In May 2023, The New Humanitarian initiated a collaborative project with Zaanoun to delve into the daily life realities in Gaza. Despite the ongoing occupation and the repercussions of continuous warfare, media coverage was sporadic at best.
The landscape dramatically altered on October 7, following a Hamas incursion into Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians intentionally targeted by Israeli authorities. Hamas, the governing body in the Gaza Strip, also seized around 240 individuals as hostages, with an undisclosed number still in captivity, some presumed deceased.
The relentless Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have persisted for six months now. The comprehensive blockade has severed essential services like water and electricity, obstructed the delivery of vital supplies including food, fuel, and medical aid, and a ground invasion has led to Israeli forces gaining control over significant portions of northern and southern Gaza. Minimal aid has trickled into the enclave, where a population of roughly 2.3 million, including a substantial number displaced from their homes, is grappling with severe food insecurity, as per the World Food Programme.
As of March 8, the Gaza health ministry reported at least [ppp14] fatalities due to Israeli military operations.
The extensive devastation and casualties, coupled with accusations of genocide from South Africa against Israel in Gaza, have underscored the dire situation. Amid the escalating violence and dire humanitarian conditions, reporting from Gaza has become increasingly perilous. To sustain awareness of the unfolding events, Zaanoun’s reports are complemented by insights from Hussaini and Soulaimane.
For Zaanoun’s pre-October 7 Snapshots, click here, and explore additional dispatches from Hussaini, Zaanoun, and Soulaimane below:
27 February 2024 – ‘People Collapsing in the Streets from Starvation’
In December, a group of UN-supported experts cautioned about the imminent risk of famine in Gaza, with 90% of the populace facing acute food insecurity. Tragically, young children have started succumbing to malnutrition. While Israel sanctioned humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza last month, the limited assistance reaching the enclave has [ppp16]. Hussaini highlights the dire conditions in the north, where hundreds of thousands are teetering on the brink of starvation after defying evacuation orders.
20 February 2024 – ‘Survival Becoming Increasingly Uncertain’
With an impending Israeli ground incursion in Rafah, displaced individuals seeking refuge in southern Gaza are now retracing their steps northward. Journalist Mohamed Soulaimane, displaced since October 7, reports on the harrowing humanitarian crisis in Rafah and the elusive quest for safety. The overcrowded Rafah, housing over 1.4 million people, faces acute shortages as humanitarian organizations struggle to meet basic needs. Amid warnings of mass casualties and aid disruptions, the residents have nowhere else to turn, as expressed by a distressed mother contemplating seeking refuge in the sea.
2 February 2024 – ‘Indiscriminate Attacks Ravage Gaza’
Hussaini, displaced for the second time due to Israel’s military offensive, laments the fading concept of “home” as she navigates from one shelter to another. Forced to relocate to southern Gaza, where over a million individuals are crammed into a space meant for a fraction of that number, she underscores the persistent threats even in the supposed safe zones.
9 January 2024 – ‘Tragic Loss of Journalists near Rafah Border’
An Israeli airstrike on January 7 claimed the lives of journalists Hamza al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya, underscoring the peril faced by Palestinian media personnel. The toll on journalists in Gaza has been staggering, with at least 72 casualties reported since October 7. The incident reignites concerns over the safety of media workers amidst the relentless military campaign.
18 December 2023 – ‘Aid Scarcity in Egyptian Border Camp’
As the Gaza population, reeling from bombardments and ground incursions, gravitates towards the Egyptian border, Zaanoun sheds light on the dire conditions at the Tal al-Sultan refugee camp near Rafah. With inadequate supplies of essentials like food, water, and medical aid compounded by harsh winter conditions, the absence of substantial international aid exacerbates the plight of the 70,000 refugees seeking sanctuary.
5 December 2023 – ‘Enduring Pain Amidst Resilience’
Following the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in December, Zaanoun captures the solidarity of journalists outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, vowing to endure the suffering and remain steadfast. The relentless assaults have claimed the lives of numerous journalists and aid workers, plunging Gaza into a catastrophic state of despair.
27 November 2023 – ‘A Momentary Respite Amidst Chaos’
Zaanoun, recovering from illness caused by contaminated water, captures a brief pause in the hostilities. Amidst the devastation, a semblance of relief emerges, allowing a glimpse of normalcy amidst the ongoing turmoil.
23 November 2023 – ‘Desperation Amidst Tragedy’
In his final dispatch before falling ill, Zaanoun recounts the harrowing experience of Asma Ayad al-Rifi, who narrowly escaped death when an Israeli strike demolished their shelter. The tragic loss of lives and the relentless struggle for survival underscore the unfathomable hardships endured by the residents of Gaza.
16 November 2023 – ‘A Cry for Help Amidst Rain’
Combining Zaanoun’s visuals with Hussaini’s poignant audio diary, the narrative captures the anguish of displaced individuals enduring the relentless rain, amplifying the challenges faced by the vulnerable population.
10 November 2023 – ‘Journalists Unite Amidst Adversity’
Zaanoun and his fellow journalists persevere in their coverage despite the personal toll of the conflict. Their commitment to reporting from the heart of the crisis, amidst mounting casualties and logistical challenges, underscores the critical role of media in documenting the unfolding tragedy.
6 November 2023 – ‘A Heart-Wrenching Loss’
A devastating blast in al-Maghazi refugee camp claims the lives of numerous civilians, including the family of Zaanoun’s colleague. The relentless violence continues to exact a heavy toll on innocent lives, amplifying the urgency for international intervention.
3 November 2023 – ‘Echoes of Grief in the Rubble’
Zaanoun captures the heart-wrenching aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in al-Shati refugee camp, where rescuers labor tirelessly to retrieve the bodies of the deceased. The pervasive devastation and loss cast a somber shadow over Gaza.
31 October 2023 – ‘Silenced Voices Amidst Darkness’
A communication blackout in Gaza, amidst relentless bombardments, underscores the challenges faced by residents in accessing vital services and information. The restrictions on media access and the escalating casualties underscore the urgent need for global attention and intervention.
27 October 2023 – ‘Mourning Amidst Chaos’
Zaanoun extends condolences to journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, who lost his family in an Israeli airstrike, underscoring the pervasive dangers faced by civilians in Gaza. The absence of safe havens and the unrelenting violence paint a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis.
18 October 2023 – ‘Gaza Grapples with Tragedy’
Zaanoun documents the aftermath of the catastrophic blast at al-Ahli Hospital, a grim reminder of the toll exacted by the ongoing conflict. The indiscriminate violence and loss of lives underscore the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and intervention.
17 October 2023 – ‘A Nation in Mourning’
Prior to the al-Ahli Hospital explosion, Gaza was already reeling from the devastating impact of Israeli bombardments and siege. The widespread displacement and destruction underscore the urgent need for humanitarian aid and international intervention.
12 October 2023 – ‘A Cry for Help Amidst Darkness’
Amidst escalating tensions and power outages, Zaanoun seeks refuge in al-Shifa Hospital, emblematic of the desperation and chaos gripping Gaza. The dire conditions underscore the urgent need for international intervention and humanitarian assistance.
11 October 2023 – ‘Innocence Shattered by Conflict’
Zaanoun captures the stark realities within Gaza, where civilian structures lay in ruins, and lives are shattered by indiscriminate violence.