
Fatima Hassoun, a 25 -year -old Palestinian journalist, once wrote: “If I die, I want a loud death. I don’t just want to break messages or number in a group. I want the death that the world will hear.” On April 16, 2025, her spooky words were fulfilled when she was killed in an Israeli air strike that struck her home in northern Gaza – just a few days before the wedding.
The attack also claimed the lives of eight of her family members, including her pregnant sister, and left a grim reminder of the growing toll war in Gaza with civilians and journalists.
The voice in Gaza fell silent
Hassouna spent the last 18 months by documenting war in Gaza and shared unfiltered flashes of life under a siege through photography and social media. Its powerful visual effects have gained global recognition and emphasized the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Her last contribution was the fisherman of Gaza and a poem that reflected the soul of the city she loved.
Life and link captured in a document
Fatima was the subject of a document entitled Your Soul on Hand and Walk, directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi. The film, which has prepared for its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, presents the reality of Gaza through Hassoun’s eyes. “It was fiery and full of life,” Farsi said. “I made her laughter, her tears, her hope and depression.”
The condemnation of journalists of groups
The Palestinian journalistic center (PJPC) described Hassoun’s death as “crime” against journalism and violations of international law. Airstrike hit her home on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza, which further intensified the global control of attacks on media workers in conflict zones.
“Fatima’s images documenting life under the encirclement were published globally and cast light on the war toll,” PJPC said. The resort said 212 journalists were killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 – an unprecedented figure that continues to grow.
Israeli justification of the strike
Israeli defensive forces (IDF) said the air section focused on an employee of Hamas associated with attacks on soldiers and civilians. IDF required the use of accurate ammunition and intelligence to minimize civil damage. “The terrorist planned and conducted terrorist attacks,” he said, accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
War costs are still increasing
The conflict of Gaza, which began after Hamas’s deadly intrusion into Israel 7 October 2023, has since requested more than 51,000 lives – more than half of them women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. More than 116,000 people were injured and 90 percent of 2.1 million inhabitants in Gaza were displaced.
Eighteen months, the ceasefire effort remains elusive and air strikes continue. How Violence of Tension, the words of Fatima Hassoun – and her work – begins to remind you of what journalism is trying to illuminate in the darkest times.
(Tagstranslate) Fatim Hassoun (T) Palestinian journalist