The war in Gaza and the suffering of its people continue to be at the forefront of our partners’ productions in Palestine, while the open conflict on the Lebanese front and its devastating repercussions dominate our partners’ coverage in Lebanon. Additionally, they cover various issues, such as corruption and the lack of reform. In Iraq, the topics vary, most notably the severe environmental deterioration. Meanwhile, our partners in Jordan have focused on humanitarian issues, particularly those related to women and their pivotal role in public life.
📢 The War in Gaza | Voices from Within
In this issue, we dedicate space to the testimony of Fadi Al-Hasani, editor-in-chief of the “Last Story” platform, who has remained in the northern Gaza Strip, where raids and targeting of large neighborhoods have recently resumed. Fadi is among the journalists in Gaza who previously launched an independent platform project and continued to work despite the overwhelming challenges facing both the public and journalists. According to “Reporters Without Borders” and the “Committee to Protect Journalists,” more than 100 journalists have been killed, highlighting the immense risks journalists face in the Strip.
“One of the biggest challenges we faced at ‘The Last Story’ was the destruction of our office in late December and the burning of all its contents, including computers, audio equipment, and the video studio that we had set up days before the war with joint support from Google and the International Journalists’ Network.” – *Fadi Al-Hasani*
“The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, now entering its eighth month, has overwhelmed the independent Palestinian media’s capacity to manage its risks, given the dire field conditions that have led to the deaths of more than 142 journalists since the war began on October 7.
At the ‘Akher Qissa’ platform, we believed we had a risk management plan to navigate the turbulent security conditions in the Strip, based on our previous experience with field dangers in this hotspot. However, the intensity and duration of this war have diminished our ability to cover its events comprehensively, particularly concerning its effects on our audience (vulnerable groups), including women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
We faced significant challenges in fieldwork, as the bombings reached everywhere, including areas that were assumed to be safe for coverage, such as hospitals. Unfortunately, these were also targeted.
The situation of the ‘Akher Qissa’ team mirrors that of the civilian population, who were forced by the bombings to flee from the north to the south of the Strip. It was exceedingly difficult for our journalists to leave their families behind and remain in northern Gaza, so they moved with their families. This naturally affected our work, as we became divided into two geographical areas, each with its own circumstances and challenges.
We attempted to overcome this dilemma, but power and internet outages across large neighborhoods in Gaza prevented us from communicating with our team members, leading to a breakdown in communication for several weeks.
One of our most prominent challenges was the destruction of our office in late December, along with the burning of all its contents, including computers, audio equipment, and the visual studio that we had established only days before the war, with support from Google and the International Journalists’ Network.
Additionally, we continue to face challenges related to social media companies’ policies towards users in Palestinian territories. Access to the public is restricted for content related to war conditions, despite our coverage focusing on a purely humanitarian perspective, highlighting issues affecting women, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and youth.
Furthermore, self-censorship has been reinforced among many journalists in Gaza, especially those working independently. It has become incredibly difficult for them to express sensitive issues, such as sexual assaults on women, or topics related to torture, harassment, and humiliation, due to fear of prosecution. Societal challenges also inhibit shedding light on women’s issues, depriving them of independence, fairness in aid distribution, and social justice in general, even regarding shelters.
As an independent media platform based in Gaza, we have faced numerous obstacles. Therefore, we call on the international community to support independent Palestinian media so that it can continue to deliver its message and convey the reality on the ground, particularly concerning defenseless civilians suffering due to the conflict.
We also urge the international community to collaborate with organizations like the International Federation of Journalists and the Arab Journalists Union to pressure Israel to neutralize independent media outlets and their crews in Gaza.”
**Gaza – Women of the Chimera**
Duaa Rouqa, a journalist who lost her brother in an Israeli raid, shares her story from the southern Gaza Strip, where she lived in a car and later a tent after being displaced. Her story reflects resilience and hope despite the harsh conditions.
🧼 From Lebanon: The Soap Maker Displaced by War🌿
Lebanon – Manateq Website
This is the story of an olive oil soap maker who was displaced from his village on the border with Israel due to the war. It is a journey of creativity and survival amid immense difficulties.
🌾 Iraq: The Food Basket Under Threat from Desertification🌍
Iraq – NERJ Network for Investigative Journalism
Climate change is having a severe impact on the agricultural sector in Nineveh, where fertile fields are turning into barren lands. An investigation reveals the extent of this disaster and its impact on food production for tens of thousands.
🗳️ Jordan: Youth and Women in Politics 🌟
Jordan – Sada Podcast
Sada Podcast discusses the participation of youth and women in local governance and how their roles shape public life.