Gaza bureau chief continues to work regardless of accidents and ‘unspeakable private tragedies’ amid Israel’s bombardment.
The Nationwide Press Membership has handed its high award for press freedom to Al Jazeera’s Wael Dahdouh.
The Washington-based organisation mentioned in an announcement that the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award can be introduced to the Gaza bureau chief at a gala on November 21.
The assertion famous that Dahdouh continued to report from the enclave, which has now been beneath Israeli bombardment for greater than a yr, regardless of struggling “unspeakable private tragedies” throughout his work.
Simply weeks after the beginning of the battle, Dahdouh was knowledgeable whereas stay on air that an Israeli air assault on the Nuseirat refugee camp had killed his spouse, his seven-year-old daughter and his 15-year-old son, along with other family members.
One other son, Hamza, who was additionally an Al Jazeera reporter, was killed by a drone assault in January.
Dahdouh was wounded by shrapnel in December because the Al Jazeera crew coated drone assaults on a college sheltering displaced Palestinians. He was evacuated out of the besieged enclave to receive medical treatment.
His cameraman, Samer Abudaqa, bled out over several hours as Israeli assaults prevented ambulances from reaching him.
Dahdouh continues to be in Germany receiving therapy for his accidents, however stays Al Jazeera’s bureau chief.
“Regardless of his bodily and emotional wounds, Dahdouh stays resilient as he works to recuperate,” Nationwide Press Membership President Emily Wilkins, who flew to Berlin to current him along with his award in particular person as an indication of dedication to his case, mentioned in an announcement.
“His endurance, energy and perseverance are an inspiration for reporters all over the world.
“The membership continues to struggle for Aubuchon honorees lengthy after the gala ends. We’ll work till they’re free of jail or discover justice in a court docket – regardless of if it takes months, years or a long time. We stand by our honorees and we are going to stand by Wael Dahdouh,” Wilkins mentioned.
Newest confirmed figures by the New York-based Committee to Defend Journalists present that not less than 137 journalists and media staff have been killed because the begin of the battle on Gaza, with precise numbers believed to be a lot larger.
The overwhelming majority have been Palestinian journalists in Gaza, however a number of Lebanese journalists have additionally been killed in Israeli assaults. Two Israeli journalists had been killed on October 7, 2023 within the Hamas-led assaults.
