Israel-Hamas war: This Gaza journalist lost his wife, two children and grandchild. He didn't stop working
A journalist known across the Arab world, Wael al Dahdouh is the head of al Jazeera's offices in Gaza - looking after the team of reporters, drivers and producers who cover every inch of the enclave.
Sunday 29 October 2023 11:28, UK
It was hard to watch. The Qatari network Al Jazeera Arabic broadcast live last week as their veteran Gaza bureau chief Wael al Dahdouh said a final goodbye to his wife, two children and a grandchild killed in the war. 聽
The al Dahdouh family say they died in an Israeli attack on a house in Nuseirat camp, central Gaza.
Wael al Dahdouh had been broadcasting live when he was told the house he had moved his family to for "safety" had been hit.
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The camera then followed Mr al Dahdouh in the al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al Balah as he cradled his young daughter's shrouded body in the morgue.
A journalist known across the Arab world for decades of reporting on the suffering of his people in Gaza had become another tragic story.
The cameras kept rolling as Mr al Dahdouh, still wearing his protective press jacket, knelt next to his son's body.
His wife Amani was killed, along with his 15-year-old son Mahmoud, seven-year-old daughter Sham and a grandson, Adam. Other members of the family were injured.
As bureau chief, Mr al Dahdouh led a team of more than a dozen reporters, cameramen, editors and drivers who cover every inch of the Gaza strip.
Mr al Dahdouh operated calmly and professionally as Gaza's world collapsed during every war: 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021 and today.
In times of conflict, Gaza's journalists are unable to be with their families. They keep reporting and are on television in the homes of people across the Arab world.
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Mr al Dahdouh is still working.
His colleague and close friend Samy Zyara says this is the most dangerous war he's ever experienced in Gaza.
"The Israelis are trying to put pressure on Gaza's journalists to stop filming the massacres," Mr Zyara said.
Israel says it does not target civilians or journalists.
"At least 20 journalists have been killed in this war. This has never happened before," Mr Zyara explained.
The journalist has moved his own family of seven children every few days since the war started, looking for safety.
"Can you imagine? I've moved them 10 times - 10 times. I don't know what to do. I've told them (the children) it's enough, this is the last place," Mr Zyara said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that its early investigations show 29 journalists have been killed in the conflict since 7 October: 24 Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese.
Meanwhile, mobile phone and internet communication has been restored to Gaza after it was cut off from the world over the weekend as the ground invasion took shape.
Voice notes from people in the besieged strip are beginning to trickle out again.
Taxi driver Abed Mohsen said the price of the limited food supplies in Gaza have become AG百家乐在线官网-high.
"There is no flour so there is no bread from the bakeries," he said.
Mr Mohsen was trying to buy a packet of biscuits and a soft drink for his children so they have at least something to eat.
"We moved to the middle of Gaza and are waiting for a ceasefire to return to our homes. We don't know when this will happen," he said. "The dead are everywhere."
"The situation is very bad. There are no words for it. I hope to return to my home."