The story of Mohamad Abu Hattab, a courageous journalist who died with his family in Gaza

Mohamad Abu Hattab was a Palestine TV correspondent who lost his life along with 11 members of his family in a devastating airstrike in southern Gaza on November 2, 2023. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the media community, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones.

Mohamad Abu Hattab – A veteran reporter and a loving father

Abu Hattab, 42, was a veteran reporter for Palestine TV, the official television channel of the Palestinian Authority. He had been working as a journalist for more than 15 years, covering various topics, such as politics, culture, sports, and human rights. He was known for his professionalism, integrity, and passion for his work. He was also a loving father of three children, aged 12, 10, and 7, who adored him.

Mohamad Abu Hattab was born and raised in Khan Yunis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. He graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media and journalism. He started his career as a reporter for local radio stations and newspapers, before joining Palestine TV in 2008. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the most respected and trusted voices in the Palestinian media. He was also active in the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the largest professional association of journalists in Palestine.

Abu was dedicated to his work, often putting himself in harm’s way to bring the truth to the public. He covered many events and stories that shaped the history and reality of Palestine, such as the Israeli wars on Gaza, the Palestinian elections, the reconciliation efforts, the protests, and the humanitarian crises. He was also keen on highlighting the stories of ordinary people, especially the children, the women, and the marginalized, who suffered the most from the Israeli occupation and blockade.

A tragic end in a brutal massacre

On the night of November 2, 2023, Abu Hattab was doing his job as usual, reporting live on-air from outside of Nasser Hospital in Gaza, where many of the wounded and the dead from the Israeli airstrikes were brought. He was wearing his helmet and his protective vest, which had “PRESS” inscribed in bright letters. He was informing the viewers about the latest developments and the dire situation in Gaza, where more than 9,000 people had been killed and over 22,000 injured since the Israeli aggression began on October 7, 2023.

After finishing his report, Mohamad Abu Hattab returned to his home in Khan Yunis, where he lived with his wife, his children, his brother, and his parents. He wanted to see his family and spend some time with them, before heading back to the hospital to continue his coverage. He did not know that it would be the last time he would see them alive.

Around 9:30 p.m., an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Abu Hattab’s house, without any warning or justification. The missile hit the house with a massive force, causing a huge explosion that shook the entire neighborhood. The house was completely destroyed, and the bodies of Abu Hattab and his family were buried under the rubble. The neighbors and the rescue workers rushed to the scene, trying to save the victims and pull them out of the debris. But it was too late. Abu Hattab and 11 members of his family were killed instantly, leaving behind a scene of horror and grief.

The Israeli military did not comment on the incident, and CNN could not independently confirm the source of the blast at the house. Palestine TV and the news agency WAFA reported that Mohamad Abu Hattab and his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike, and accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists and civilians. They also demanded an international investigation and accountability for the Israeli war crimes.

A loss for the media and the people

Mohamad Abu Hattab’s death sent shockwaves through his newsroom, where his colleagues and friends were devastated and outraged by the news. They paid tribute to him on-air, expressing their sorrow and anger over the loss of their fellow journalist and his family. They also condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians and journalists.

One of Abu Hattab’s colleagues, Salman Al Bashir, made an emotional on-air report that reduced a television anchor to tears. He said:

We can’t bear this anymore. We are exhausted, we are here victims and martyrs awaiting our deaths, we are dying one after the other and no one cares about us or the large scale catastrophe and the crime in Gaza. No protection, no international protection at all, no immunity to anything, this protection gear does not protect us and not those helmets. These are just slogans that we are wearing, it doesn’t protect any journalist at all. Live on air, we lose souls one after the other, without any price, we pass as martyrs, we await our turn one after the other. Our colleague Mohammad Abu Hattab was standing here only 30 minutes ago, and now he left us, along with his wife, his brother, and many members of his family are now victims here inside the hospital.

Abu Hattab’s death also sparked an outcry from the Palestinian and international media organizations, who denounced the Israeli violations of the freedom of the press and the right to life. They expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian journalists, who risk their lives every day to report the truth from Gaza. They also urged the international community to intervene and stop the Israeli aggression, and to ensure the safety and security of the journalists and the civilians in Gaza.

According to the latest statistics, the number of journalists killed by Israel since the beginning of its aggression on Gaza has risen to 28 journalists, making Gaza one of the most dangerous places in the world for media workers.