Maryam Abu Daqqa, a Palestinian journalist who contributed to several international news organizations, was killed in an Israeli airstrike near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Sunday. Her death has sparked renewed international concern over the rising toll on journalists covering the war.
Abu Daqqa, known for her work with Independent Arabia, The Associated Press, and other international media outlets, was reportedly near the hospital on assignment when the airstrike occurred. Local health authorities confirmed her death along with several others in the strike, including photojournalists working for Reuters and Al Jazeera.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged carrying out the strike and said it would conduct a “preliminary investigation.” The military claimed the area was being used by Hamas operatives, but provided no evidence publicly. Nasser Hospital has been a frequent flashpoint in the war, with previous Israeli claims that militants operate in its vicinity—a charge Palestinian authorities deny.
A Rising Voice in Gaza’s Press Corps
In recent years, Maryam Abu Daqqa had emerged as a respected and courageous voice in Palestinian journalism. Colleagues described her as fiercely committed to truth-telling, especially from some of Gaza’s most dangerous frontlines. Her dispatches often focused on the civilian cost of war—particularly on women and children.
Abu Daqqa was one of the few women reporting consistently from conflict zones in southern Gaza, often working with international media under difficult and dangerous conditions. Her work brought global attention to the lived realities of Palestinian families, hospitals under siege, and displaced communities.
“Maryam was more than a reporter,” said a fellow journalist who worked alongside her in Rafah. “She was a witness for the voiceless—she told their stories when no one else would.”
Targeting of Journalists Under Scrutiny
The strike that killed Abu Daqqa has reignited questions around the targeting of journalists in Gaza, where media professionals have been operating in extreme conditions without guarantees of protection.
According to CPJ, more than 90 journalists have been killed since the outbreak of war in October 2023, making Gaza one of the deadliest places for media workers in modern history.
A Legacy Silenced, But Not Forgotten
At just 30, Maryam Abu Daqqa had already built a reputation as a trusted source of information from Gaza’s southern region. She leaves behind a legacy of fearless reporting, deeply human storytelling, and unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity.
Her death adds another name to the growing list of journalists who have died in the line of duty in Gaza. But for many in the press community, Abu Daqqa’s loss cuts especially deep—not only because she was a woman in a predominantly male profession, but because she insisted on telling stories most would turn away from.
