The Worker Volunteers
Palestinian journalist Hossam Shabat was assassinated by an Israeli air strike targeting his car in northern Gaza on March 24. Shabat, who was a contributor to Al Jazeera and Drop Site News, was only 23 years old at the time of his murder.
Shortly before his assassination, he had been mourning the murder of his fellow journalist Mohammed Mansour in southern Gaza earlier that day.
Shabat grew up in Gaza, experiencing Israel’s repeated genocidal campaigns that murdered thousands of civilians. Throughout Israel’s escalated genocide since October 2023, he remained committed to covering Israeli atrocities and generating support for the Palestinian people.
Such heroism is diametrically opposed to the desperate cowardice of the Israeli genocidal forces, who resort to systematically targeting and killing journalists so that their crimes will not be broadcast. Since its escalated genocide beginning in October 2023, Israel has murdered over 200 journalists. Nevertheless, their inhumane tactics instead serve to generate more fighters among the Palestinian people while mobilizing millions to their defense internationally.
Hossam Shabat knew for some time that he was on the Israeli military’s hit list and had received numerous death threats by phone and text. Before his martyrdom, he wrote this letter, which we share below, instructing the people of the world to continue fighting in defense of Palestine.
“If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed—most likely targeted—by the Israeli occupation forces. When this all began, I was only 21 years old—a college student with dreams like anyone else. For past 18 months, I have dedicated every moment of my life to my people. I documented the horrors in northern Gaza minute by minute, determined to show the world the truth they tried to bury. I slept on pavements, in schools, in tents—anywhere I could. Each day was a battle for survival. I endured hunger for months, yet I never left my people’s side.
By God, I fulfilled my duty as a journalist. I risked everything to report the truth, and now, I am finally at rest—something I haven’t known in the past 18 months. I did all this because I believe in the Palestinian cause. I believe this land is ours, and it has been the highest honor of my life to die defending it and serving its people.
I ask you now: do not stop speaking about Gaza. Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories—until Palestine is free.
— For the last time, Hossam Shabat, from northern Gaza.”
Image: Hossam Shabat
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