Palestinian Journalist Fatma Hassona Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

Fatma Hassona, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist and the central figure of the documentary 'Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,' was killed along with nine members of her family in an Israeli airstrike on their home in Gaza City, shortly after the film was selected for screening in the ACID section at the Cannes Film Festival. The documentary, directed by Sepideh Farsi, chronicles daily life and survival under siege in Gaza through video conversations with Hassona, who was recognized internationally for her photojournalism documenting the impact of the conflict. The Israeli military stated that the target of the strike was a Hamas brigade member, claiming efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties, but these reports remain unverified. Hassona's death has been met with public statements of grief and admiration from the film's director and the ACID organizers, who highlighted her resilience and the personal risks she took to bear witness to Gaza’s suffering. Farsi expressed uncertainty about the circumstances of the strike, while also recalling Hassona's recent engagement and family celebrations, underscoring the personal loss. The incident has heightened attention on the dangers faced by journalists in Gaza amid ongoing conflict.