Photographer from Gaza Meet Their Vibrant End in Israeli Airstrike, Wrote Before: "May My Demise Resonate Loudly"
Rewritten Article:
Fatima Hassouna, a resilient war photographer who dedicated 18 months to chronicling the turmoil in Gaza, met her untimely end in an Israeli raid this week.
"I yearn for a death that echoes throughout the ages, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world," Hassouna penned on Instagram in August 2024, expressing her desire for a profound impact even after her demise. The award-winning photojournalist, the subject of a new documentary set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month, was a beacon of perseverance in the face of adversity.
CNN reported on Friday that Hassouna's parents miraculously survived the blast on Wednesday, but both remain in critical condition in the ICU.
The Palestinian Journalists' Protection Center (PJPC) mourned the loss of Hassouna, referring to the strike on her family home on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City as a "heinous crime" against journalists and a violation of international law. The attack, they pointed out, exposedimages of life under siege that resonated globally, illuminating the human toll of the war.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that the target was a Hamas militant in their Gaza City Brigade and that they made efforts to minimize exposure to civilians. However, they offered no further explanations.
recounted the tragic incident to CNN, detailing the moment two rockets collided with their home. "I was sitting just moments ago when suddenly two rockets came crashing down, one near me, and one in the living room. The house crumbled down on us, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake," he said.
Hassouna's photographs, depicting the challenges of daily life in Gaza under relentless Israeli bombardment, garnered a vast following on Facebook and Instagram, where she boasted over 35,000 followers.
Hassouna was the central character in Sepideh Farsi's documentary film, Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk, chosen to appear in the ACID section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. A director's statement lauded the film as "a window" into the "ongoing massacre of the Palestinians" from a distinct, intimate perspective.
Following news of Hassouna's death, Farsi shared a photo on social media showcasing herself and Hassouna together, the latter flashing a radiant smile. "My fleeting memory of her is a smile. I cling to it amidst the sorrow," Farsi wrote alongside the image.
Speaking to CNN, Farsi described Hassouna as a vibrant, optimistic individual with an infectious smile. The filmmaker recounted the close collaboration she shared with Hassouna, which spanned over a year, and the close bond they developed during the creation of the project.
Farsi revealed that she contacted Hassouna just one day before her death to share the joyous news about the documentary's inclusion in Cannes. "She was thrilled and excited about the opportunity to share her story with the world. Yet tragically, it was fate that denied her that dream," Farsi lamented.
According to the PJPC, the death toll of journalists in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to an astonishing 212, a grim statistic that has raised alarm from numerous journalist groups worldwide. The organization has called for an immediate investigation into Hassouna's death and holds those responsible accountable for this heinous act.
Hassouna's neighbor, Um Aed Ajur, recalled Hassouna as someone proud of her contribution to the community. She questioned the attack on her residence, stating, "We've been neighbors for 35 years and have never had any connections to any group."
Hassouna's final post on her social media account was a series of poignant photographs capturing Gaza fishermen by the sea, accompanied by a thoughtful poem. "From here, you learn the essence of the city. You step inside, but you cannot leave, for you belong here," she wrote.
CNN's Lauren Izso contributed reporting
Hassouna was a dedicated photojournalist, who had been documenting the strife in Gaza since 2023, emphasizing the suffering and resilience of its people through her thoughtful imagery[1]. Her work caught the attention of Sepideh Farsi, who chose to feature Hassouna in her documentary, providing an intimate and poignant portrayal of daily life in Gaza amid military conflict, while showcasing the determination and creativity of its residents [2][4]. Hassouna's tragic death in 2025 underscored the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and amplified the emotional and political impact of her story and film.
- The Middle East world was shocked by the death of Fatima Hassouna, a photojournalist who dedicated 212 days to documenting strife in Gaza, especially in 2025, adding to the ongoing discourse about war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
- In 2025, the world lost a beacon of perseverance when award-winning photojournalist Fatima Hassouna was tragically killed during an Israeli raid in Gaza, her death happening less than a month before the premiere of Sepideh Farsi's documentary about her, 'Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk', which was to be showcased in the ACID section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
- The Palestinian Journalists' Protection Center (PJPC) released a statement following Fatima Hassouna's untimely demise, referring to the strike on her family home on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City as a "heinous crime" against journalists, questioning the involvement of Middle East politics in targeted attacks on journalists and breaking international law.
- Fatima Hassouna, a fearless photojournalist, spent 18 months bravely documenting life under siege in Gaza, capturing images that shed light on the human toll of war in the Middle East, resonating with the global community and boasting over 35,000 followers on social media.
- In 2025, the global community mourned the death of Fatima Hassouna, a key figure in the world of general-news and crime-and-justice, whose work focused on war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, and who desired an impact that would echo for ages.
