Palestinian photojournalist Montaser al-Sawaf pays life to expose Israeli atrocities in Gaza

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – After documenting Israeli atrocities in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian photojournalist Montaser al-Sawaf paid with his life for highlighting the suffering of fellow Palestinians in the besigeged enclave.

Sawaf, a freelance photojournalist for Anadolu since 2014, was killed by Israeli army fire on Dec. 1, 2023.

Just 13 days before his death, on Nov. 18, 2023, his home came under an Israeli strike in eastern Gaza. Sawaf survived the attack, but several family members, including his mother, father, and two brothers, were killed.

Despite the loss, Sawaf returned to the field undeterred, continuing to document the ongoing bloodshed and daily Israeli atrocities against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

“He was a fearless journalist, who rushed to the frontlines to capture the truth, believing that his photos were more powerful than any weapon,” his colleague Mohamed Majed said.

"He refused to remain silent in the face of injustice, and he always sought to convey the suffering of people under siege and aggression, even in his last moments."

- Purposeful life

Sawaf’s family was displaced by the Israeli army from Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City to eastern Gaza.

Despite the dangers, he insisted on documenting the daily suffering of Palestinians under Israeli attacks.

"Sawaf was not just a photojournalist, he was an embodiment of resilience," Majed said.

“He insisted on documenting the Israeli crimes, even after suffering injuries and personal tragedy,” he added.

Born in 1990, Sawaf graduated from Al-Aqsa University with a degree in journalism, driven by a passion for photography and storytelling.

His sister, Shaimaa Al-Sawaf, who resides in Jordan, shared fond memories of her brother’s love for life and his selflessness.

“He always made time to create joy for us, even from afar," she recalled.

“After the massacre that killed 45 members of our family, including our parents, Montaser continued to console me, despite his injuries,” she said.

Shaimaa recounted the final moments before brother’s death, recalling how he had told her he was heading out to feed street cats, promising to call her back afterward.

“Half an hour later, I was devastated to hear the news of his death,” she said.

- A legacy of humanity

Sawaf’s older brother, Mohamed, described him as someone “full of life,” always finding ways to bring happiness to those around him.

"He loved children,” his brother said. “Sometimes he would organize their birthday parties, and he was so close to them that he would make them gifts with his own hands out of wool and porcelain, to bring them joy and happiness."

In his final days, Sawaf’s determination was evident. He barely rested, working long hours to cover the escalating Israeli attacks.

After his family’s home was bombed, he continued reporting, even while searching for the bodies of his loved ones.

His brother recalled how Montaser refused to abandon his job, using whatever resources he had - including a bicycle - to continue capturing images of the war.

"He knew that the press vest wouldn’t protect him," Mohamed said. "But that didn’t stop him. On his last day, he left for the Baptist Hospital, only to be struck down by a drone."

- Unforgettable

Sawaf left behind his wife, Alaa Rjab, and two children, six-year-old Sarah and three-year-old Ezzedine.

"He adored his children," his wife said. "When he returned from work, he would always make time to play with them, despite his exhaustion."

Even in his final moments, Sawaf’s commitment to his work shone through. Despite losing his camera and suffering injuries, he continued using his phone to document the war.

His tragic death, like the deaths of many journalists in Gaza, underscores the ongoing attempt to silence those who seek to reveal the truth of the Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

His legacy lives on through his work and the memories he leaves behind with his family and friends.

At least 175 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s government media office.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 41,900 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 97,100 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi