Fatima Hassona, a Palestinian photojournalist and a key figure in a documentary recently selected for the Cannes Film Festival, has tragically lost her life in an Israeli airstrike that targeted her home in northern Gaza. This incident occurred just a day after the announcement of her prominent role in the documentary titled Put your soul on your hand and walk, directed by exiled Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi.
A passionate storyteller
Fatima was a graduate of the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza, where she honed her craft not only as a photographer but also as a vital witness to the increasingly harsh conditions faced by her community. In a poignant final post shared just hours before her death, she captured a sunset view from her balcony, accompanied by the caption:
“This is the first sunset in a long time.”
Her earlier reflections revealed her deep desire for her life and work to resonate beyond mere statistics. In one of her heartfelt messages, she expressed:
“As for the inevitable death, if I die, I want a loud death, I don’t want me in a breaking news story, nor in a number with a group, I want a death that is heard by the world, a trace that lasts forever, and immortal images that neither time nor place can bury.”
Impact on the media landscape
The day prior to her untimely death, the Association of Independent Cinema for Distribution (ACID) celebrated the selection of Fatima’s story for the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, marking what could have been a pivotal moment in her career and a meaningful opportunity to share her perspective with an international audience. In an interview, Farsi described Fatima as a radiant presence, saying,
“She was a sun.”
She emphasized Fatima’s daily courage in documenting the war in Gaza, detailing how their collaboration involved a constant exchange of photos, messages, and audio clips. Farsi recounted the anxiety she felt each morning, questioning whether Fatima had survived the night.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has made it perilously dangerous for journalists. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has reported that at least 157 journalists and media workers have died since the onset of hostilities, with some estimates suggesting the actual number may exceed 200. In a statement mourning Fatima’s death, the IFJ condemned the persistent targeting of journalists and insisted on the necessity of accountability for these acts of violence, declaring,
“This massacre must stop.”
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Belanger asserted that journalists operating in conflict areas must be regarded as civilians, deserving protection as they fulfill their crucial role. “There is widespread global interest in what is happening in Gaza, but we can only see the truth if journalists are allowed access to it,” he emphasized.
In a statement, Doctors Without Borders remarked on the dire conditions in Gaza, with their emergency coordinator, Amand Pazerol, stating,
“Gaza has become a mass grave for Palestinians and those who help them.”
He highlighted the alarming reality of ongoing destruction and displacement affecting the entire Gazan population.
Fatima Hassona’s legacy extends beyond her role as a journalist; she was a humanitarian advocate, capturing the essence of a city that endures constant cycles of destruction and renewal. Her unwavering commitment to documenting her reality remained steadfast until her final moments.