“Wael Al Dahdouh, One Of the Most Courageous Journalists In The World…”: Priyanka Gandhi (image-instagram/wael_eldahdouh)
When the collective credibility of the media across the world is alarmingly at stake due to the influence of corporate and political entities, the Palestinian men are now teaching the world the true spirit of journalism.
Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh“s eldest son, Hamza Dahdouh, was killed by a targeted Israel strike in the western part of Khan Younis, Gaza. In an earlier Israel strike on October 25, Wael had lost several members of his family including his wife and two children.
In spite of unspeakable trauma, Wael Dahdouh kept reporting, determined to bring out the plightful situation in the besieged enclave of Gaza, hours after his tragic loss.
Admiring the steadfastness of the journalist, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi regarded him as the ‘one of the most courageous journalists in the world today’. “My deepest condolences to Wael Dahdouh, for the loss of his eldest son hamzadah1996 who has been killed in Gaza, and my infinite respect for Wael Dahdouh, one of the most courageous journalists in the world today, she wrote.
Despite being intentionally and continuously targeted, the Palestinian journalist continues to fight.
“Despite his entire family being intentionally targeted and killed, he fights on, day after day undaunted, and continues to stand steadfast in the name of truth,” the Congress leader added.
My deepest condolences to @WaelDahdouh, for the loss of his eldest son @hamzadah1996 who has been killed in Gaza, and my infinite respect for @WaelDahdouh, one of the most courageous journalists in the world today. Despite his entire family being intentionally targeted and… pic.twitter.com/1rc6HcOkit
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 9, 2024
Wael, when lost his wife, son, daughter and grandson to the Israel strike raid, the world watched, helplessly, as he ran towards the bodies of his loved ones. The video of him bidding goodbye to his one-year-old nephew, moved the hearts of many.
Along with Hamza, Journalist Mustafa Thuraya was also killed in the attack while they were traveling through the ‘supposedly safe area towards the southwest’. A third passenger, Hazem Rajab was seriously injured.
As per Al Jazeera report, Hamza and Mustafa’s vehicle was targeted as they were trying to interview civilians displaced by previous bombing.
Wael just like many journalists from Gaza is the symbol of real-world heroism. Palestinian journalists continue to remain under continuous lethal Israeli strike for bearing witness to the ongoing atrocities carried out by Israel on Gaza strip. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) notes that this war has constituted the “deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992”.
