Voices Under Fire: Shrouq Al Aila Shares Her Story Amid Record Killings of Journalists in Gaza

Last year marked the deadliest period ever recorded for journalists worldwide. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 126 journalists and media workers were killed — a number that shocked the global media community. Even more devastating, two out of every three of those deaths were Palestinians killed by Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza. These were not accidental deaths. They were journalists wearing press vests, carrying cameras, and doing their jobs.

Among the journalists who continue to report from the heart of Gaza is Shrouq Al Aila, winner of the 2024 International Press Freedom Award (IPFA). While many reporters have been evacuated or forced to leave conflict zones, Shrouq remains trapped inside Gaza, unable to leave, holding on to her duty as a journalist despite daily risks. Her voice, her lens, and her courage have become symbols of truth-telling in a time when truth itself is under attack.

Shrouq was asked to reflect on her experience reporting from Gaza since October 7, 2023. Her words will be read tonight by international journalists Jon Williams, Fadi Mansour, Yesica Fisch, Humeyra Pamuk, and Rula Jebreal. Her message is not only a testimony of survival but a powerful reminder of why journalism matters, especially in war.

Shrouq writes, “There were many moments I thought I would die in the middle of a story, behind the camera, or on the road to another bombing site.” For her, fear is not an occasional emotion — it is a daily companion. Every step she takes is uncertain. Every assignment may be her last. And yet, she continues to document the reality around her, driven by the belief that the world must see what is happening inside Gaza.

The year has been catastrophic for press freedom. Journalists have always faced risks, but the scale of deaths in Gaza has raised grave questions about safety, targeting, and accountability. Most of the journalists killed were covering bombings, rescuing survivors, or documenting destroyed neighborhoods. Many were reporting in clearly marked press gear. Despite these efforts to stay identifiable and safe, they became casualties of the conflict they were trying to reveal to the world.

For journalists like Shrouq, the emotional cost is just as heavy as the physical danger. They are not outsiders. They live the war, lose family, lose friends, and yet must continue to work. Reporting becomes a way to process grief, preserve memory, and honor those lost. The trauma is constant, but so is the responsibility.

Even in the darkest moments, Shrouq found a renewed belief in the power of storytelling. She writes, “When the genocide began to subside, I felt something inside me rekindle — a quiet but certain faith in the power of journalism.” This sentence captures her resilience. After surviving months of bombings, displacement, and fear, she still holds onto hope — not just for herself, but for her community.

Her words also reveal determination. “My colleagues and I are waiting now, with our cameras and our words, to document Gaza as it rises once again from the ruins, stronger, more beautiful, and unbroken.” This is more than optimism. It is a declaration that Gaza’s story is not just about destruction. It is also about survival, dignity, and rebuilding. Journalists like Shrouq want the world to see all of it — not just the devastation, but the humanity.

This moment in history demands deeper reflection. If journalists cannot safely do their jobs, the world loses its eyes and ears. We lose truth, transparency, and accountability. The rise in journalist deaths is not only a Gaza issue; it is a global warning about the growing dangers faced by the press. Without protection, the truth becomes vulnerable to manipulation and suppression.

Shrouq’s courage represents the essence of journalism — telling the story no matter how difficult, dangerous, or heartbreaking it may be. Her persistence ensures that the voices of Gaza’s people are not erased. Through her work, the world sees the realities of war not through statistics, but through human stories filled with fear, strength, hope, and resilience.

The global press community continues to call for safety, justice, and accountability for journalists everywhere. As long as reporters like Shrouq stand on the frontlines, the truth will not be silenced. Her story is not just about survival. It is about purpose — a purpose that continues to shine even in the darkest times.

Gaza will rise again, and journalists like Shrouq will make sure the world sees every moment of its courage, beauty, and rebirth.