Alaqad asserts that the loss of on-the-ground journalists equates to a loss of vital truths, as mainstream media outlets dictate the storyline. “Voices that are silenced and censored prevent us from fully grasping events,” she remarks.
During crises, disrupted communication leads to a lack of accountability and overlooked injustices. “Injustice shouts,” Alaqad claims, “while justice must be even louder.”
Journalists encounter ongoing suppression. In December 2025, Reporters Without Borders highlighted the deaths of 67 journalists that year, with 43 percent occurring in Gaza at the hands of Israeli forces. Since October 7, 2023, RSF reports over 220 fatalities among journalists in Gaza, whereas the UN reports a figure exceeding 260.
Dagher points out that the media blackout is part of a comprehensive tactic that includes limited movement and communication. Israel refutes the claim of targeting journalists.
“Murders of journalists stifle the truth,” Alaqad states. This leads to several consequences—diminishing on-ground reports and portraying journalists as dangers. “Such a message discourages individuals from interacting with journalists,” she observes.
Her protective press gear signaled her as a target, causing her mother to worry about her safety. Initial warm greetings and hospitality shifted to caution upon witnessing the targeting of journalists, Alaqad reflects.
Operating in Gaza involved navigating unpredictable conditions. Plans seldom extended beyond daylight hours, and circumstances rapidly evolved. “Uncertainty is the sole certainty,” Alaqad notes.
She frequently discovered that those she interviewed were subsequently killed in airstrikes. Now residing in Beirut, she studies media at the American University, backed by the Shireen Abu Akleh scholarship, named in honor of a journalist who lost her life due to Israeli forces.
Her widespread social media presence unveiled the truth of Gaza, yet also put her life at risk. While digital reporting reaches a broad audience, its permanence remains unstable, as accounts and content can vanish in an instant.
