Rami al-Rifi

Their life

Rami al-Rifi, his cameraman, was also an Al Jazeera employee, working closely with Ismail to document the events unfolding in Gaza. Rami's role was crucial in capturing visuals that complemented Ismail's reports, helping to bring international attention to the situation.

Rami al-Rifi was a talented Palestinian cameraman for Al Jazeera Arabic, known for his visual storytelling from the heart of Gaza. He worked behind the camera, capturing the raw and often heartbreaking realities of life under siege. Rami was instrumental in broadcasting powerful images of devastation and survival — scenes that might have otherwise gone unseen by the outside world.

A native of Gaza, Rami developed a passion for photography and videography at a young age. He believed that powerful images could change perceptions and inspire empathy. With every frame, he sought to humanize the Palestinian experience and convey the suffering of his community.

Working closely with journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul, Rami covered some of the most intense and dangerous moments in recent Gaza history. His footage was broadcast globally and served as visual testimony of both atrocity and resilience. Despite the constant danger, he remained committed to his work, often refusing to leave the field until the full story was told.

Rami was killed on July 31, 2024, in the same Israeli airstrike that took Ismail’s life. Their vehicle was clearly marked as press, and they were wearing media vests. Rami’s death marked not just the loss of a gifted cameraman, but also a voice of conscience, committed to revealing the truth through his lens

How they died

Israeli airstrike

Rami al-Rifi was killed when their car was hit by an Israeli airstrike on July 31, 2024, in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. he was wearing media vests, and his vehicle was marked as a press car. The cause of death was the attack from the Israeli airstrike.

A plea from the family

“Rami never held a weapon. His camera was his only tool. He stood beside his colleagues in the ruins of war to capture the reality—so that others might understand our pain. He was a son, a brother, a friend. We are shattered. To those who remain silent, we ask: is a Palestinian journalist’s life worth less than others? We ask for justice, and we ask for protection for every journalist working in Gaza.” — The Al-Rifi Family

Why we remember them

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

References & sources