Hamza Wael Hamdan Al-Dahdouh
Hamza Al-Dahdouh was killed in an Israeli drone strike while on duty in southern Gaza on January 7, 2024.
On January 7, 2024, Hamza was returning from filming the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip when an Israeli drone targeted the vehicle he was traveling in. He was accompanied by freelance journalist Mustafa Thuraya and their driver, Qusai Salem. The missile struck their car near Rafah, instantly killing all three and injuring another journalist who was traveling with them. The Israeli military later claimed the strike targeted a “terrorist” operating a drone that posed a threat to its troops. However, Al Jazeera, Hamza’s family, and international press-freedom organizations strongly rejected this claim, emphasizing that Hamza was a credentialed journalist carrying out legitimate media work. Human rights groups and the Committee to Protect Journalists called for an independent investigation, suggesting the incident might constitute a deliberate attack on members of the press.
Biography
Hamza Wael Hamdan Ibrahim Al-Dahdouh was a Palestinian journalist and cameraman for Al Jazeera, born in Gaza City in 1996. He was the eldest son of veteran Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael Al-Dahdouh and was raised in a family deeply connected to the field of journalism. Hamza studied Media and Communication Technology at the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza, where he developed a passion for documenting the realities of life under blockade and war. Before joining Al Jazeera, he freelanced for various local media outlets and later became a respected field cameraman, known for his calm demeanor, professionalism, and bravery in covering some of the most dangerous areas of Gaza.
Hamza grew up in a family that valued truth and storytelling. From an early age, he watched his father risk his life reporting from conflict zones and was inspired to follow the same path. After graduating, he joined Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau, where he served as a cameraman and field producer, often working in extremely perilous conditions to document the humanitarian impact of Israeli airstrikes. His work earned the admiration of his colleagues and the respect of fellow journalists in Gaza. Outside of work, Hamza was described as humble, deeply loyal to his friends, and a devoted husband. He married in 2022, just two years before his death, and had begun building a life of his own while continuing to work alongside his father.