Prominent Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, known for his frontline reporting during the Gaza war, was killed during armed clashes in Gaza City on Sunday, just days after a ceasefire was declared between Israel and Hamas.
Aljafarawi, 28, had gained a large following for his compelling video coverage of the conflict and the humanitarian toll of the ongoing war. According to Palestinian sources speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, he was shot and killed by members of an “armed militia” while reporting in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. His body, still wearing a flak jacket marked “PRESS,” was later seen in video footage verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency, lying on the back of a truck. He had been reported missing earlier that morning.
Sources on the ground reported that the clashes involved Hamas security forces and armed fighters from the Doghmush clan, a powerful Gaza-based family with a history of tension with the ruling authorities. While this has yet to be officially confirmed by local government sources, the Ministry of Interior in Gaza stated that the violence involved “an armed militia affiliated with the Israeli occupation.” The same source said the militia had attacked displaced civilians returning from southern Gaza, prompting security forces to impose a siege on the group.
Aljafarawi’s death has underscored the fragile nature of the current ceasefire, now in its third day. While the truce has temporarily halted cross-border fighting, internal instability and factional violence remain a significant concern in the besieged territory. Local authorities have issued repeated warnings that the security situation remains volatile despite diplomatic efforts.
A voice silenced
Aljafarawi had previously spoken out about the dangers he faced as a journalist in Gaza. In a January 2025 interview with Al Jazeera, he reflected on his experience living under siege, displacement, and constant threats.
“All the scenes and situations I went through during these 467 days will not be erased from my memory,” he said. “I lived in fear for every second, especially after hearing what the Israeli occupation was saying about me. I was living life second to second, not knowing what the next second would bring.”
Aljafarawi had reportedly received multiple threats due to his reporting, which was widely circulated on social media and Arabic news platforms. His death marks another devastating loss for journalism in what has become the deadliest conflict for reporters in modern history, with over 270 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023.
Peace efforts continue
The killing comes at a crucial moment, as international leaders prepare for a Gaza summit in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Scheduled for Monday, the summit is being co-hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and attended by world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the summit aims “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security.” A “document ending the war in the Gaza Strip” is expected to be signed during the summit, although neither Israel nor Hamas will have official representation at the talks.
A dangerous reality for journalists
Aljafarawi’s killing is yet another reminder of the extreme risks journalists face in Gaza, where covering the truth often means navigating active conflict zones, aerial bombardments, and internal power struggles.
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His death leaves a void in a region where independent, on-the-ground reporting is both rare and essential. As international efforts intensify to bring an end to the war, voices like Aljafarawi’s—fearless, local, and honest—remain irreplaceable.
