Hisham al-Nawajha

Their life

Hisham al-Nawajha, a 27-year-old Palestinian photojournalist working for the news website Al-Khamisa, was killed on October 10, 2023, in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City’s Babel Tower. He and his editor, Saeed al-Tawil, had evacuated their office in the nearby Hajji Tower and positioned themselves close to the Babel Tower to document the announced Israeli strike on their newsroom building. Al-Nawajha was critically wounded in the explosion and later died at Al-Shifa Hospital. His death, along with those of his colleagues, became a stark symbol of the extreme risks faced by journalists covering the war in Gaza.

At just 27 years old, Hisham al-Nawajha had already established himself as a dedicated and talented photojournalist with the Palestinian news outlet Al-Khamisa. Known for his courage and commitment to documenting life in Gaza amid constant conflict, he often covered airstrikes and humanitarian crises to bring visibility to the suffering of civilians. On October 10, 2023, after Israeli forces announced an imminent strike on the Hajji Tower—where Al-Khamisa’s offices were located—Hisham and his editor Saeed al-Tawil evacuated the building to continue their coverage from a safer distance near the Babel Tower. Moments later, an Israeli missile struck the area, killing Saeed instantly and leaving Hisham gravely injured. He was rushed to Al-Shifa Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His death was part of a tragic event that also killed journalist Mohammed Soboh of Khabar agency. Hisham’s bravery and final assignment underscored the perilous conditions under which journalists in Gaza operate, even when iden

How they died

He was Killed by an Israeli airstrike on the Babel Tower in Gaza City.

Hisham al-Nawajha died after sustaining severe injuries from an Israeli airstrike targeting the Babel Tower block on October 10, 2023. He had been covering the pre-announced strike on the nearby Hajji Tower, which housed the Al-Khamisa newsroom. Despite moving to what was thought to be a safer observation point, the adjacent area came under direct attack. Hisham was critically wounded in the blast and died shortly after being transported to Al-Shifa Hospital.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Hisham al-Nawajha, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources