Khaled al-Madhoun
He was Killed by targeted tank fire while reporting in a conflict zone.
According to RSF and eyewitness accounts, Khaled al-Madhoun was struck by a direct shell fired from an Israeli tank positioned near the Zikim area. The round hit the vicinity where journalists were filming, leaving al-Madhoun fatally wounded. His killing fits a broader pattern of deliberate targeting of media workers in Gaza, condemned by international organizations as violations of the Geneva Conventions protecting civilians and journalists in wartime.
Biography
Khaled al-Madhoun, aged 55, was a veteran Palestinian photojournalist working with Palestine TV, the public broadcaster based in Ramallah. Known for his courage and dedication, he spent decades documenting the suffering, resilience, and daily life of Gaza’s people under siege. On 23 August 2025, while covering the chaotic distribution of food aid near the Zikim border crossing in northern Gaza, he was killed by targeted tank fire from Israeli forces. His death marked a profound loss for Palestinian journalism, as colleagues remembered him as one of Gaza’s most seasoned and principled reporters, devoted to truth and humanity.
Born around 1970 in Gaza City, Khaled al-Madhoun began his career as a local photographer during the turbulent 1990s, capturing the struggles of Palestinians during the First Intifada and beyond. Over more than 30 years in journalism, he became a respected figure in Gaza’s media community, recognized for his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to ethical reporting.
Al-Madhoun worked for Palestine TV, the official broadcaster of the Palestinian Authority, where he documented the realities of daily life in the Gaza Strip — from humanitarian crises to moments of hope and resistance. His colleagues described him as fearless yet compassionate, often risking his life to ensure that the world saw the truth of Gaza’s suffering.
On 23 August 2025, Khaled was covering the distribution of humanitarian aid near the Zikim crossing, a perilous area where Israeli forces had repeatedly opened fire on civilians gathering for food. Despite the risks, he insisted on reporting from the front line to expose th
Sources & References
One of Gaza's most seasoned reporters, Khaled al-Madhoun worked for the Ramallah-based public broadcaster Palestine TV. On 23 August 2025, he travelled to the northern Gaza border crossing in the Zikim region to film the often-deadly distribution of food aid by Israeli forces. While reporting, he was killed by targeted fire from an Israeli tank, according to the information obtained by RSF. His colleagues mourned his death, describing him as a courageous and dedicated journalist, committed to the truth and to Palestine1 rsf.org Open source