In Nazareth, Israel, a coalition of Israeli and Palestinian activists recently organized a rally advocating for peace in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, including the deaths of nearly 200 journalists. Participants donned blue-and-white "Press" stickers that are typically worn by journalists in conflict zones, conveying the message that journalism is not a crime. The gathering underscored the urgent need to protect those who report the truth in war-torn areas.
The rally, which took place on Friday, featured protesters holding up banners declaring "Don't assassinate the truth," while some banged on empty pots to symbolize the hunger crisis affecting the Gaza Strip amidst the violence. This demonstration follows the tragic loss of several journalists, including Mariam Dagga, a 33-year-old freelancer for The Associated Press, who died in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis earlier that week. This attack, which also killed 17 others, has intensified calls for accountability and an end to violence against journalists.
Mariam Dagga frequently reported on the struggles faced by ordinary Palestinians during the war that began on October 7, 2023. That date marked a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 individuals as hostages. In retaliation, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly killed over 63,000 people, as stated by the territory's health ministry. Dagga aimed to shed light on the human impact of the conflict, focusing on the efforts of medical professionals caring for the wounded and malnourished children.
The Israeli military has claimed that the strike on Nasser Hospital targeted what it believed was a Hamas surveillance camera, asserting that journalists were not the intended targets, although no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims. Israel's Prime Minister described the incident as a "mishap," a characterization that offers little solace to Dagga's grieving family.
Riyad Dagga, Mariam's father, recounted the moment he learned of his daughter's death while sitting in a tent located approximately 180 kilometers (111 miles) from Nazareth in Khan Younis. He recalled feeling paralyzed by shock upon receiving the devastating news. "The person who told me said that Mariam was martyred, and I collapsed," he said, tears welling in his eyes as he viewed the last photographs taken by his daughter.
Mariam's sister, Nada, was beside her during the attack. She vividly recalled the last exchange they had before disaster struck: "Mariam was on the stairs filming. I watched her and looked at her. The last look between me and her. She looked at me and smiled." Their brother, Mohamed, attempted to search for Mariam and found her among the casualties, an experience that deeply affected him as he carried her body from the scene.
In her final photos, Mariam captured the scene around Nasser Hospital after the first strike. These images displayed the damaged stairwell and the chaos as individuals emerged from the hospital, illustrating both the immediate aftermath of violence and the resilience of those caught in the conflict.
