24 March 2025
THEY KILLED HOSSAM SHABAT IN GAZA TODAY BUT THEY WILL NEVER EXTINGUISH HIS LIGHT OR THE TRUTH
Hossam Shabat (circa 2001 – 24 March 2025) was a Palestinian journalist from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, known for his fearless reporting from one of the most dangerous places in the world during Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
As Al Jazeera Mubasher’s northern Gaza correspondent, Shabat remained in the north long after others had evacuated, determined to bear witness to the suffering of civilians trapped by siege, bombardment, and starvation.
Throughout the genocide, Shabat documented the destruction of homes, the killing of civilians, and the collapse of basic services. He used every available means—photos, video footage, social media updates, and live reports—to share the brutal reality facing residents in the north. His work gave voice to communities otherwise cut off from the world, many of whom had no electricity, food, or safe water.
His commitment did not come without risk. In November 2024, he was injured in an Israeli airstrike while reporting on the aftermath of a bombing in northern Gaza. Despite his injuries and the trauma of losing family members, he returned to the field days later, continuing to report amidst constant bombardment.
In October 2024, the Israeli military accused Shabat and five other Al Jazeera journalists of having ties to militant groups—an allegation condemned by human rights groups and press freedom organisations as a smear tactic meant to justify targeting journalists. Al Jazeera called the claims “baseless and dangerous,” and reaffirmed Shabat’s role as a professional reporter dedicated to covering events in Gaza.
Shabat also used his platform to advocate for his community. In the final months of his life, he launched a GoFundMe appeal to help his family and neighbours rebuild after their homes were destroyed. The fundraiser painted a picture of a resilient, resourceful man trying to survive and help others in the face of genocide.
On 24 March 2025, Shabat was killed by Israeli occupation forces in an airstrike on Jabalia in northern Gaza. He was the 208th journalist targeted since the escalation began in October 2023. His death was part of a wider strategy: the systematic targeting of journalists to cut communications and silence voices, allowing Israel to carry out its actions in darkness.
His killing sent shockwaves across Gaza and beyond, with tributes pouring in from fellow journalists, international media organisations, and supporters of Palestinian press freedom. Hossam Shabat’s legacy is one of courage, integrity, and defiance. In choosing to stay when he could have fled, and in continuing to report while under direct threat, he embodied the highest ideals of journalism. His work ensured that even as Gaza was cut off, its people would not be silenced.
The only question left for this silent, complicit world is: where do you stand on evil?
#HossamShabbat