Mumtaz Moosa | mumtazs@icloud.com
03 October 2024 | 10:30 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: ISM

Wafa Al Udaini was a prominent journalist and activist committed to telling the stories of her people amidst the ongoing Israeli occupation and violence in Gaza. Her dedication to sharing the truth led her to report on some of the darkest chapters of Gaza’s history, including Israel’s invasions in 2008, 2014-2015, and the current genocidal assault that saw her displaced three times before her tragic death.

Born in Gaza, Wafa earned an English degree from Al Aqsa University, intending to become a teacher and translator. But witnessing the media’s distortion of Palestinian lives and struggles, she turned to journalism to correct the narrative. She became an outspoken voice against the injustices faced by her people, documenting the lives lost, the homes destroyed, and the unyielding resistance of Gaza’s people.

Wafa’s journalistic journey was not without danger. As she once said, “Being a journalist in Gaza is not an easy task because every single day, you are subjected to the possibility of being killed, injured, or arrested by the Israeli occupation forces.”

Wafa’s fears were not unfounded. She became the 174th journalist murdered by Israel since 07 October 2023. The attack on her home has drawn condemnation from Gaza’s Government Media Office and the Palestinian Media Forum.

Her last article, titled “There is no such thing as protective attire for journalists in Gaza,” detailed the impossible circumstances journalists face, reporting without resources while under constant threat of death. Wafa continued her work even after being targeted by Israeli tank fire, determined to help “spread the truth” about Gaza’s reality.

Those who knew and worked with Wafa speak of her courage and conviction. A fellow volunteer from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) remembered her as a woman who, despite great personal cost, continued reporting on Israel’s atrocities. “Wafa was a hero and one of the bravest people I ever knew. Rest in power, Wafa, and may you live on in our memories and the truths you told.”

Neta Golan, co-founder of ISM, shared her tribute to Wafa, stating, “Wafa and her family were murdered because she was committed to delivering a message from Gaza to the world about the reality of Israeli colonialism. She believed in us. She believed that if we knew, we would do all we could to end the genocide and support Palestine’s liberation. She risked her life to tell us about the unfolding genocide.”

Wafa was not just a journalist covering the news from afar; she witnessed and participated in Gaza’s history. As a refugee herself, whose family was expelled from their village in 1948, Wafa used her platform to amplify the voices of other Palestinians. She founded the 16^th October Group, a collective of young journalists working to challenge the stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream media.

Gaza’s endless suffering shaped Wafa’s life. The 2014 Israeli onslaught destroyed her family’s home, an experience that strengthened her resolve to continue her important work.

Wafa wasn’t just a journalist; she symbolized resilience. As a woman, mother, journalist, and voice for the Palestinian people, she embodied their struggle for justice and dignity.

“In a world where truth is often silenced, Wafa Al Udaini stood as a beacon of courage and resilience, reminding us that the fight for justice and freedom can never be extinguished.”