Abdul Raouf Shaat

Their life

Abdul Raouf Shaat was a Palestinian journalist from Gaza who dedicated his work to documenting life, displacement, and humanitarian conditions during Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip. Known for his professionalism and compassion, he regularly contributed visual and field reporting that highlighted the suffering of civilians. Colleagues remembered him as kind-hearted and committed to telling the truth under extremely dangerous conditions.

Abdul Raouf Shaat worked as a journalist in Gaza, a territory where reporting has become increasingly perilous due to sustained military operations and restrictions on international media access. He was a regular contributor to Agence France-Presse (AFP), although he was not officially on assignment for the agency at the time of his death.

Like many Palestinian journalists, Shaat played a crucial role in informing the world about events on the ground, often risking his life to document displacement, destruction, and civilian suffering. On the day he was killed, he was traveling with fellow journalists to film a newly established displacement camp managed by an Egyptian government committee, helping document humanitarian efforts for displaced Palestinians.

AFP described him as a “much loved” colleague, emphasizing his humanity and professionalism, and demanded a full investigation into his killing.

How they died

he was Killed in an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle carrying journalists.

Abdul Raouf Shaat was killed when an Israeli strike targeted a vehicle in the Netzarim area of central Gaza. The vehicle was carrying three Palestinian journalists who were filming near a displacement camp. According to a spokesperson for the Egyptian government committee managing the camp, the vehicle was known to the Israeli military and was operating approximately 5 kilometers from Israeli-controlled areas. Video footage showed the vehicle charred and burning following the strike.

Israel’s military stated it had identified individuals operating a drone that it considered a threat, though journalists and officials said Shaat and his colleagues were engaged in media work at the time.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Abdul Raouf Shaat, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources