Samer Abu Daqqa

Their life

Samer Abu Daqqa was a Palestinian cameraman and veteran member of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau. Born in the Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip, he studied journalism and dedicated nearly two decades of his life to documenting events in Gaza for international audiences. Known for his calm professionalism, courage and commitment to truth-telling, Abu Daqqa became one of the network’s most respected videographers. On 15 December 2023, while covering the aftermath of an attack on a school shelter in Khan Younis, he was fatally wounded by an Israeli strike. He died at age 45, leaving behind his children and a legacy as a journalist who never abandoned his post, even in the most dangerous conditions.

Samer Abu Daqqa was born in the southern town of Abasan al-Kabira near Khan Younis. From a young age he was fascinated by cameras, storytelling and the power of the media. After studying journalism and media at university, he began his career working for local newspapers before being recruited by Al Jazeera around 2004. He became one of the founding technicians and cameramen of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau and spent roughly 18–20 years covering wars, bombings, humanitarian crises and daily life under siege.

Colleagues described him as soft-spoken, loyal and fearless — a journalist who was always the first to arrive at a scene and the last to leave. His work often focused on civilians trapped in conflict, especially women and children. Through his camera, he documented history in real time, ensuring that the world could witness what was happening in Gaza. Over the years he survived multiple dangerous assignments, but he continued his work out of duty and conviction.

How they died

He died from severe injuries caused by shrapnel and bombing during an Israeli strike.

Abu Daqqa was filming alongside Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael Dahdouh at a school shelter that had already been struck earlier. A subsequent missile — believed to be fired from an Israeli drone — hit the area again while they were on site. Dahdouh was injured and managed to reach medical care. Abu Daqqa, however, was critically wounded and trapped under rubble and debris.

Ambulances and rescue workers attempted to reach him, but heavy fire, destroyed roads and military obstruction delayed access for many hours. He bled to death on location. His colleagues later stated that he could have survived if medics had been allowed safe passage.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Samer Abu Daqqa, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources