The article details the profound personal losses endured by Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, including his wife, children, grandson, and colleague, due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and his unwavering commitment to reporting. It highlights his struggle with being away from Gaza and his continued advocacy for press freedom and journalist safety amidst the ongoing conflict.
Hide the pain: how a war reporter keeps going when their own family are victims
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The article details the profound personal losses endured by Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, including his wife, children, grandson, and colleague, due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and his unwavering commitment to reporting. It highlights his struggle with being away from Gaza and his continued advocacy for press freedom and journalist safety amidst the ongoing conflict.
Trending- 1 Since 2005: Wael al-Dahdouh covered every war in Gaza.
- 2 October 2023: Wael al-Dahdouh's wife, two children, and toddler grandson were killed by an Israeli airstrike.
- 3 Seven weeks later (late 2023): Wael was injured, and his colleague Samer Abu Daqqa was killed, during reporting.
- 4 January 2024: Wael's eldest son, Hamza (a cameraman), was killed in a targeted Israeli strike.
- 5 January 2024: Wael was persuaded by his family to leave Gaza.
- 6 Since 2023: At least 225 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza.
- 7 Last week (early June 2025): Wael al-Dahdouh spoke at the Amnesty Media Awards, receiving a prize for outstanding contribution to human rights journalism.
- Death of at least 225 Palestinian journalists and media workers since 2023
- Displacement and injury of journalists
- Psychological trauma for reporters and their families
- Suppression of press freedom and the right to information
- Increased reliance on younger, less experienced journalists and citizen journalism in Gaza
What: The personal and professional challenges faced by Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, including the loss of multiple family members and a colleague in Israeli airstrikes, his resilience in reporting from Gaza, and his current efforts to advocate for journalists globally.
When: Published June 11, 2025. Events span from October 2023 to January 2024, and 'last week' (Amnesty Media Awards). The conflict has been ongoing since 2023.
Where: Gaza, Palestinian territories, Middle East.
Why: To highlight the extreme dangers and personal toll on journalists reporting from the Israel-Gaza war, to showcase Wael al-Dahdouh's resilience and dedication, and to call for international support and protection for journalists in conflict zones.
How: Through an interview with Wael al-Dahdouh, recounting his experiences of loss, injury, and his decision to leave Gaza, as well as his current role in speaking to international audiences and advocating for press freedom.