Gaza: Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian Journalist Ola Al Dahdouh
Al Dahdouh is the 17th Palestinian woman journalist killed in the Israel/ Palestine conflict. Since the escalation of the conflict, 20 women journalists have been killed.
Location: Gaza City, Palestine
Date: May 31, 2024
Women Press Freedom mourns the loss of Ola Al Dahdouh, editor and presenter at the local Sawt Al Watan radio station, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting her husband's family residence in Gaza City's Al Jalaa neighborhood. We strongly denounce the deliberate targeting of journalists by Israeli forces in conflict zones as a flagrant violation of international law. We vehemently condemn the killing of Ola Al Dahdouh and urgently call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We also demand that Israel fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation into potential war crimes.
On May 31, 2024, an Israeli airstrike killed Ola Al Dahdouh and her husband's uncle in Gaza City. The airstrike injured Al Dahdouh's husband, Abdelrahman Helles, and their one-and-a-half-year-old son, Karam. Her brother Mohannad shared on Facebook that the strike occurred suddenly and without prior warning.
Al Dahdouh joined the radio station in 2017 as a media student and became an editor after graduating in 2019. She excelled as a presenter, known for her professionalism and dedication, and earned acclaim for her meticulousness and proficiency in her early morning program.
Prior to her tragic killing, Al Dahdouh utilized her social media platform to express critical views on Hamas, advocating for an end to the ongoing conflict and peace.
Al Dahdouh’s family had previously faced adversity when their residence in northern Gaza's Shejaiya neighborhood was obliterated by Israeli bombardment last October. Following this incident, they sought refuge in a house belonging to her husband's uncle.
Women Press Freedom expresses profound sorrow at the loss of Ola Al Dahdouh, adding to the tragic toll of 20 women journalists killed in the Israel-Palestine conflict. We urgently call for a cessation of hostilities by both Hamas and the Israeli Defence Forces to ensure the safe delivery of aid and protect civilians. Immediate action is required to address the ongoing suffering. We further demand that the Israeli government fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation into potential war crimes.
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