A Tragic Farewell: The Killing of Palestinian Journalist Mohammad Hijazi

Department of Research, Strategic Studies, International Relations and News 06-01-2024

The devastating conflict between Israel and Palestine has claimed yet another victim, adding to the mounting toll of journalists killed in the besieged Gaza Strip. Mohammad Hijazi, a Palestinian writer, poet, and journalist, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. According to his family, Hijazi’s death brings the number of media professionals killed since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, to an alarming 220.

Hijazi was among nearly 90 Palestinians killed in the past 24 hours alone, as reported by Gaza’s Ministry of Health on Sunday. The relentless bombardment of the Jabalia refugee camp, where hundreds have lost their lives since Israel imposed a military siege on October 5, has left the area in ruins. The siege, coupled with intensified airstrikes, has forced thousands to flee their homes, while aid groups have been barred from providing even the most basic necessities.

Hijazi, who was also known for his poignant writings, shared a haunting message on Facebook in August 2022, reflecting his resilience and despair:
“I don’t know if I will write to you again. I keep what I have written and am writing. Maybe it will come to light one day. I refuse a cheap death. I curse the murderer.”

His words resonate deeply, encapsulating the anguish and defiance of those living under constant threat. Hijazi’s creative and journalistic contributions, marked by a spirit that “fights until the end of the road,” will remain a testament to his legacy.

Hijazi’s death is part of a much larger tragedy unfolding in Gaza. The Health Ministry reported at least 88 Palestinians killed and 208 injured within the past day, as the relentless attacks show no signs of abating. Among the casualties are innocent children, with another infant, Yousef, succumbing to the cold due to the dire conditions faced by displaced families.

Yousef’s grieving mother shared her anguish with Al Jazeera:
“They didn’t give a single moment to feel happy with my baby. He slept next to me, and in the morning, I found him frozen and dead. No one can feel my misery. No one in the world can understand our catastrophic situation.”

Yousef’s death marks the eighth infant fatality in recent days, a harrowing reminder of the humanitarian disaster gripping Gaza.

Since the war’s onset in October 2023, at least 45,805 Palestinians have been killed, and over 109,000 injured. The destruction has been vast, with entire families buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. In one tragic instance, a family of 15 was entombed beneath their three-story home in northwest Gaza City. The Palestinian Civil Defence has managed to recover only four bodies so far, with the rest still trapped beneath the debris.

Hani Mahmoud, reporting from central Gaza for Al Jazeera, described the heartbreaking scenes:
“Repeated attacks – deliberate against families – continue to unfold, causing more tragedies among Palestinians.”

Over the last three days, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 200 people in Gaza, overwhelming the remaining hospitals. Medical facilities, like Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, are struggling to cope. Patients lie on the floor, awaiting surgery, but many die before they can be treated due to a lack of supplies and severe injuries.

Israel’s military reported targeting over 100 “terror sites” in Gaza over the past two days, claiming these locations were used to launch projectiles into Israel. However, the indiscriminate nature of the strikes has drawn widespread condemnation. Rights groups and international organizations have described Israel’s military actions as genocide, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asserting in March 2024 that the offensive “plausibly” amounted to such crimes.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes.

Amid the violence, indirect negotiations for a captive release deal have resumed in Qatar, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. These discussions aim to secure the release of captives held in Gaza and bring an end to the conflict. However, the ongoing attacks and widespread suffering cast a shadow over these diplomatic efforts.

The killing of Mohammad Hijazi and countless others serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of this enduring conflict. As Gaza continues to reel under siege and bombardment, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and prevent further loss of innocent lives.