It’s heartbreaking to witness such a picture, and the pain it inflicts is shared by all of humanity. Reflecting on this image, the emotions stirred are profound. While we understand the reluctance to revisit such distressing moments, could you kindly share a message for the Islamic Ummah? Why did we endure this price, and what would you like to convey to the Islamic Ummah and humanity at large?
Yes, it does bring us back… It was an earth-shattering event from a human perspective, marked by immense difficulty and pain, constituting a significant and painful, indeed a very painful toll in this war.
Nevertheless, as we collectively affirm, this is our destiny. We inhabit this land, carrying a noble humanitarian message. We fulfill this sacred duty to defend the cause of the oppressed. What we engage in is the defense of the oppressed, a cause that transcends our specific circumstances; it is a universal issue for humanity at large.
This is not only the defense of Gaza, but the defense of all humanity. It is a cause of humanity
It is a cause for all of humanity, as we are partners in the collective human experience. The significance of Jerusalem transcends the confines of Gaza or Palestine; it is a matter that concerns all Muslims and people of honor worldwide. When we discharge our duty, we fulfill a sacred and noble obligation on behalf of humanity, a duty supported by international human rights and laws binding all nations, foreign and domestic alike. Consequently, our hope is for the global community to exert pressure to halt this bloodshed, bringing an end to the massacre of journalists and the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This, at the very least, is the fundamental requirement that must be met. We aspire that these images, reflective of the price we are paying, mark the conclusion of such attacks and the final chapter of this devastating assault on journalists and the people of Gaza.
May God grant you patience. After going through all this, have you considered quitting the profession of journalism?
This is not the first price we have paid in such a manner, and unfortunately, it won’t be the last. We experienced the direct targeting of a missile resulting in the martyrdom of our cameraman friend. Tragically, my son Hamza was also martyred - may God have mercy on him. Our house and office were deliberately targeted. However, the concept of backing down or relinquishing this banner has never crossed our minds. There is no room for such words in our dictionary, so to speak. On the contrary, we have asserted before, and we continue to affirm, that this is a human duty that must be fulfilled.
Of course, the events unfolding in the Gaza Strip amount to an all-out assault on the Palestinian people. These attacks indiscriminately target children, women, the elderly, Palestinian resources, homes, infrastructure, and every aspect of life in the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, Palestinian journalists are also targeted and have borne a heavy toll in this war.
An exceptionally high price has been exacted here, surpassing the toll paid by journalists even in the longest, fiercest, and most brutal wars worldwide. Numerous journalists have been martyred thus far, including our colleagues Ismail Abu Omar and cameraman Ahmed Matar, who were the latest targets. Unfortunately, the targeting of journalists persists, constituting a steep cost and a hefty bill.
What do you think about the book “The Evidence”?
It is evident that tremendous efforts have been invested in the creation of the book titled “The Evidence.” This undertaking represents a substantial and commendable endeavor. I extend my congratulations to those who have strived for justice on behalf of the victimized Palestinian people, journalists, and children.
Consequently, I express the hope that further endeavors will be initiated for the Palestinian cause across various domains, benefiting the oppressed in the Gaza Strip and Palestine at large. One hopes that one day the land of Palestine will be liberated and these oppressed people will get their just and dignified rights.
Do you believe that trade embargoes will yield any results?
Certainly. Each weapon employed in resisting this brutal war against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, against the Israeli war, holds significance. Among these, the trade embargo against Israel stands out as extremely important. While some may attempt to downplay its impact, it is, in fact, very crucial. Utilizing this right and method is necessary, and its global application is of utmost importance. It exerts pressure on Israel and contributes to breaking the chains of resistance—an essential aspect of the struggle.
The Israeli army deliberately kills journalists and continues to do so. How do you assess it?
It is undeniable that Israel has persistently targeted journalists, particularly since the beginning of this war. The grim reality is reflected in a long list of casualties, with one hundred and twenty journalists having been martyred, and numerous others wounded. Families of Palestinian journalists have been targeted and killed or injured. Throughout this conflict, journalists’ offices and resources have been deliberately singled out and attacked.
These figures are indeed alarming, underscoring Israel’s determined efforts to target segment of the population that serves as the eyes of the truth, namely journalists. Journalists play a crucial role in covering and reporting on the events transpiring on the ground, making them a targeted group due to their role in disseminating information.
This demonstrates that Israel does not want these people. It aims to keep them away from reporting, effectively destroying evidence of the crimes it has been committing. This strategy deliberately targets the tools that generate evidence and the journalists, who serve as the eyes of truth.
So, you’re saying that Israel does this on purpose?
That’s for sure. The fact that the numbers are so high, that these murderous attempts have been made over and over again, that journalists keep being targeted, shows that this has been done in a determined and deliberate manner. That’s for sure.
They kill in Gaza as they did in Vietnam
Even in the Vietnam war and more violent conflicts, such a large number of journalists were not killed.
