“Youmna Elsayed, a journalist for Al Jazeera English, described the scene in Gaza City during a recent live broadcast. Israeli warplanes flew overhead while airstrikes hit the neighborhoods below. The war was at her doorstep. As she reported live on October 30, with her children and neighbors huddled in a nearby room, explosions echoed over the phone line as her building shook. She emphasized how terrifying the experience was, especially for her young child who screamed during the airstrikes.”
“Amid this struggle, local journalists in the Gaza Strip have provided firsthand accounts of the destruction on Palestinian lives and homes while trying to survive themselves. The toll on these journalists has been shocking – at least one local journalist has been killed every day. The heightened awareness of the humanitarian disaster and the battle between Israel and Hamas has placed additional pressure on local reporters to navigate the war.”
“Despite the harrowing conditions, international journalists have been prevented from entering Gaza, leaving local journalists at the forefront. For instance, Salman Bashir, a correspondent for Palestine TV, experienced a personal tragedy when he learned a colleague was killed in an Israeli strike. The emotional toll of this conflict on journalists like Bashir and Elsayed is profound, serving as a grim reminder of the impact of violence and loss in their lives.”
“The toll from this conflict continues to mount, with devastating loss of life in Gaza and intense struggles for survival. As the conflict rages on, it remains to be seen how and when a resolution will come for Gaza, perpetuating the ongoing suffering endured by journalists and civilians alike.”
