Ola al‑ Dahdouh
She was killed by Israeli airstrike
Ola al-Dahdouh was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck her husband’s family apartment in Gaza City without warning, according to her brother. The powerful explosion caused the deaths and injuries of several family members. Witnesses said there had been no prior evacuation notice or military activity nearby, suggesting the strike was directed at the residential building itself.
Biography
Ola al-Dahdouh was a 28-year-old Palestinian journalist and radio show host for Radio Sawt Al Watan in Gaza City. Known for her warm voice and dedication to accurate reporting, she became one of the station’s most recognizable figures. Despite losing her home in an earlier Israeli strike, she continued her work and life with courage. On 31 May 2024, Ola was tragically killed in another Israeli airstrike that struck her husband’s family home without warning, also killing a relative and injuring her husband and their infant son, Karam.
Born and raised in Gaza, Ola al-Dahdouh discovered her passion for journalism at a young age, believing in the power of media to shed light on truth and human suffering. She began training at Radio Sawt Al Watan in 2017, while she was still a journalism student, and joined the station full-time after graduating in 2019. Her commitment and talent quickly earned her recognition, and she eventually became the host of the morning news show, one of the station’s most popular programs. Ola was admired by her colleagues for her professionalism, resilience, and empathy.
After her home was destroyed on 15 October 2023, she moved with her husband’s family in Gaza City, where she continued her journalistic work despite the constant danger. Her life was cut short on 31 May 2024, when an Israeli airstrike hit the building where she had taken refuge, killing her instantly. The attack also killed her husband’s uncle and seriously injured her husband and their 18-month-old son, Karam.
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
Ola’s surviving family members have called for accountability and justice, denouncing the targeting of civilians and journalists in Gaza. Her brother stated that the apartment was bombed “without any warning”, emphasizing that Ola was not involved in any political or military activity—she was simply a journalist and mother seeking safety. Colleagues at Radio Sawt Al Watan mourned her loss, describing her as a voice of hope and truth silenced too soon.
Sources & References
After her home was destroyed on 15 October 2023, Ola al-Dahdouh found refuge with her husband's family in Gaza City. On 31 May 2024, she was killed by an Israeli strike that also killed her husband's uncle and injured her husband and their 18-month-old son, Karam. Her brother said the strike targeted the apartment without any warning. Al-Dahdouh trained at Radio Sawt Al Watan in 2017 while still a journalism student and began working there after graduating in 2019. She started out as a reporter and went on to distinguish herself as the host of the morning news show, the station’s director said.1 rsf.org Open source