"I want a loud death": Gaza journalist Fatima Hassouna's last wish reflects after deadly Israeli air raid | Today news

Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old Palestinian journalist, once wrote: “If I die, I want a loud death. I don’t just want news, or a number in a group. I want a death that will hear the world.” On April 16, 2025, her haunting words came true when she died in an Israeli air attack that hit her home in northern Gaza – just days before her wedding. The attack also claimed the lives of eight of her family members, including her pregnant sister, who left an ominous reminder of the increasing toll of the Gaza war against civilians and journalists. A voice of Gaza has spent the past 18 months documenting the war in Gaza and sharing unfiltered life of life under siege by photography and social media. Her powerful footage received global recognition and emphasized the human costs of ongoing conflict. Her last message contains the fishermen of Gaza and a poem that reflects on the soul of the city she loved. A life and legacy captured in the documentary Fatima was the subject of a documentary entitled Put Your Soul on your hand and Walk, directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi. The film, which goes on the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, offers the reality of Gaza through Hassouna’s eyes. “She was fierce and full of life,” Farsi said. “I laughed her, her tears, her hope and her depression filmed.” Condemnation of journalist groups The Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center (PJPC) calls Hassouna’s death a ‘crime’ against journalism and a violation of international law. The AirStrike hit her home in Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City, which further strengthened the global investigation into attacks on media fabrics in conflict areas. “Fatima’s images that document life under the investment have been published worldwide and shed light on the toll of the war,” PJPC said. The center reported that 212 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 – an unprecedented figure that is still rising. Israel’s justification for the strike The Israeli army (IDF) said the air strike sent a Hamas operator related to attacks on soldiers and civilians. The IDF has demanded the use of precision ammunition and intelligence to reduce civil damage. “The terrorist planned and carried out terrorist attacks,” he said, accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health in Gaza, the cost of war still began the conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ deadly invasion of Israel. More than 116,000 people were injured, and 90 percent of the 2.1 million Gaza residents were displaced. Eighteen months in, ceasefire efforts continue to be elusive, and air strikes continue. As violence increases, the words of Fatima Hassouna – and her work – are a reminder of which journalism strives to relieve in the darkest times. First published: 20 Apr 2025, 22:18 IST