The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 48,572, with another 112,032 injured, following more than 17 months of Israeli military operations, the Gaza health authorities said on Sunday.
In the past 24 hours, Israeli ground operations killed 14 people and wounded 51 others, with 15 additional bodies of victims recovered from the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Since the escalation of conflict on Oct 7, 2023, Israeli forces have conducted sustained military actions in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and inflicting heavy casualties.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 48,572
An amputee Palestinian journalist remains dedicated to uncovering and sharing the truth about life in the war-torn Gaza Strip, despite losing a limb after being targeted by an Israeli sniper.
Hazem Salman, a 27-year-old Palestinian journalist from Rafah, is currently displaced and lives in Khan Younis. He’s a freelance journalist who has spent the past 18 months documenting scenes of devastation and highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
His reporting blurred the line between observer and participant, as the dangers he documented have become part of his own story.
"On July 3, 2018, I was injured on the eastern border of Gaza City, specifically east of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, by an Israeli sniper. That targeting did not weaken me, it only strengthened my resolve and determination to continue conveying the truth and the reality on the ground. Even if I am targeted again, I have already lost my leg for the sake of journalism, to bring the image, truth, and suffering from the heart of Gaza, so the world knows Gaza is facing genocide," said Salman.
Salman's personal ordeal is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of threats faced by journalists in Gaza, where the line between reporting and endangerment grows increasingly thin.
"Every time I hear a drone at night, or the sound of helicopters or quadcopters, I feel as if the moment has come, that I could be targeted just like my fellow journalists. The targeting of journalists is a systematic policy by the Israeli occupation to erase the image and bury the truth. But I, along with my fellow journalists, remain committed to this mission, to the path of the martyrs and their sacrifices, until the very last day, even if we are all targeted," he said.
That commitment to truth-telling drives his actions on the ground, even amid constant danger and immense physical challenges.
"I follow events closely and head to strike sites on my bicycle to report the truth and deliver the image, despite the difficulties of moving around on a bike under current conditions. Streets are destroyed. Residential areas are devastated. And I face many obstacles while getting around. Sometimes, the targeted location is three or four kilometers away, and its exhausting to reach it because I'm on a bike," said Salman.
Beyond the field, the weight of responsibility doesn’t ease. Salman returns from documenting destruction to face the daily demands of life in the enclave, where his role as a journalist is matched by his role as a sole provider.
"As for my family situation, I am the only one they can rely on. I try to balance family life with journalism under extremely difficult circumstances. When I'm out working, there is no one to take my place in doing household tasks, fetching water, and buying things from the market. If the tarp gets torn, I have to fix it. If a wire gets damaged, I have to repair it. Even when I'm late, they can't switch the batteries for the lighting at night. They know I'm the one responsible for that, and I must be there. My family depends on me for many things," he said.
Despite the heavy responsibilities, he strives to bring moments of normalcy and comfort to his family amid the chaos surrounding them.
"I try to ease their burden however I can. I show the children videos from 'Toyor Al-Janah' or let them play games to distract them from the atmosphere of war and the sounds of bombing. A child should remember that their father, or their family, gave them something filled with hope, warmth, and a comforting embrace. That's what I try to provide in these difficult times, between the work of journalism and the demands of daily life," said Salman.
Amputee Palestinian journalist defies odds to expose Gaza’s reality
