Who was Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna?

Fatima Hassouna, a Palestinian photojournalist and the central subject of the forthcoming documentary “Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk”, was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike that also claimed the lives of nine members of her family.

The attack struck their residence in Gaza City, just one day after the film was announced as part of the Association for the Diffusion of Independent Cinema (ACID) selection at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, according to Deadline.

Renowned for her powerful visual storytelling and unflinching coverage of the war’s human impact in Gaza, Hassouna had earned international recognition for her work. Director Sepideh Farsi, who collaborated closely with Hassouna on the film, described her as “a light” and praised her exceptional talent.

The documentary unfolds through a series of video exchanges between Hassouna and Farsi, offering a deeply personal narrative of a young woman chronicling the devastation of her homeland while holding on to a sense of resilience and hope.

Her death comes amid an intensifying campaign of Israeli airstrikes on residential areas in Gaza City. Although the Israeli military states its operations are aimed at militant infrastructure, human rights organizations continue to report widespread civilian casualties, including families killed in their homes.

Fatima Hassouna

Beloved and respected, Fatima Hassouna was a name that resonated across Gaza for her remarkable talent, creativity, and unwavering dedication to documenting the Gaza conflict. For the 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist, photography transcended mere work—it was her mission to reveal the stark reality of life in the war-torn enclave.

For 18 relentless months of Israel’s genocidal war, Hassouna roamed the narrow alleys of Gaza City, her camera ever ready to capture the human cost of Israel’s military offensive. From shattered homes to grieving families, from despair to the spark of hope in children’s eyes amidst the ruins, her work bore witness to the lives affected by the conflict.

Hassouna’s compelling images traveled beyond borders, bringing the world an unvarnished glimpse of Gaza’s struggles and resilience. Her lens was a storyteller, portraying heartbreak and humanity, suffering and strength, loss and the indomitable spirit of joy that persisted even amid devastation.