Gaza’s Most Influential Citizen Journalist Saleh Aljafarawi Aka Mr. FAFO Killed
Gaza City, October 13, 2025: Saleh Aljafarawi, a prominent Palestinian social media influencer and citizen journalist known as “Mr. FAFO,” was killed on Sunday evening in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood, according to local reports and visuals which are being shared on social media. The 26-year-old, celebrated for his raw and emotive documentation of life in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, was reportedly shot in the head by an anti-Hamas militia, and some reports claimed the militia is affiliated with Israeli forces. Aljadarawi gained fame as a pro-Hamas journalist.
Aljafarawi, born on November 22, 1998, rose to prominence as a singer and content creator before the two year war that erupted on October 27, 2023 which transformed him into a citizen journalist. His viral videos, capturing the devastation, displacement, and human toll in Gaza, reached tens of millions worldwide. From hospital beds to bomb-scarred streets, Aljafarawi’s footage offered an unfiltered glimpse into the daily struggles of Gazans, earning him admiration from across the globe. Despite repeated false reports of his death, he continued to broadcast, often defiantly, as seen in his final message: “You will need a million years to break the will of the Palestinian people… and you will not break it.”
According to Al Jazeera, Aljafarawi was killed in Tel al-Hawa, with sources alleging the attackers were linked to groups collaborating with Israeli forces. Other Palestinian media claimed he was tortured and executed with seven bullets, though these reports remain unverified.
Hamas’s Interior Ministry stated that its security forces were engaged in clashes with the Doghmush clan, a local militia, as they attempted to restore order in Gaza City. The ministry accused the militia of killing returning refugees, escalating tensions that culminated in Sunday’s violence.
The conflict with the Doghmush clan reportedly began on Friday near the Jordanian Hospital, where an ambush killed Muhammad Imad Akl, a member of Hamas’s military wing. Clashes also flared in Rafah, where Hamas operatives and militias exchanged fire in areas recently vacated by Israeli forces. Reports of summary executions, including allegations of children being targeted, have further inflamed the situation, though details remain murky.
Aljafarawi’s journey from a young chanter to a wartime chronicler was marked by his ability to blend art with activism. His works, including songs like “Where are you, humanity?” (2023) and “The Call is Dead” (2025), resonated deeply, amplifying Gaza’s plight. Meta’s repeated suspension of his social media accounts sparked debates over censorship, with supporters arguing it silenced a critical Palestinian voice.
Described as “the last voice of October 7” after the death of his friend, journalist Anas al-Sharif, Aljafarawi’s archive stands as a testament to Gaza’s suffering and resilience. A video of Aljafarawi playing a with an infant who survived an Israeli strike was viral on social media.
