Just days after Gaza’s ceasefire brought a fragile sigh of relief, tragedy struck again. Saleh Aljafarawi, the 28-year-old Palestinian journalist known online as Mr. Fafo, was shot dead in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood on Saturday night. He was reportedly targeted by an armed militia backed by Israel while covering renewed clashes in the area.
Eyewitness reports say Saleh was cornered and shot seven times, even as he wore his press vest. The incident took place during the first stage of the US-brokered ceasefire — a period that was supposed to mark troop withdrawals and safe passage for civilians. Instead, it became yet another reminder that in Gaza, peace is never guaranteed, not even for a moment.
Saleh was one of Gaza’s most recognised young journalists and content creators. His reporting reached millions across social media, showing the world the reality of life under bombs and blockades. Even after losing his home and living displaced himself, he continued to document stories of survival, always calm, human, and unflinching. His courage had made him a target long before his death — he had publicly spoken about being on Israel’s red list and living “second to second, never knowing what comes next.”
In one of his last videos, Saleh was seen taking off his press vest and putting it on a child, saying:
“Even if we die, they’ll carry our message — this land is our land.“
That single moment now feels haunting.
Tributes have poured in from around the world, calling him the face of Gaza’s truth and resilience. But his killing also raises a painful question — what does a ceasefire mean when even journalists aren’t safe?
According to rights groups, more than 270 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023 — making this the deadliest conflict for media workers in modern history. Saleh’s death adds another name to that list, but his voice, his images, and his words will continue to echo long after the silence of the ceasefire fades.
Sources: Al Jazeera, TRT World, Morocco World News, The New Arab
