Her Life Was Lost, But Her Story Lives On
Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on her home in the northern part of Gaza. The attack was not only deadly for her but also killed 10 other members of her family at the same time. In just one moment, an entire family disappeared, and a brave woman’s life came to an end.
But even though her life ended, her story did not stop. In fact, her life and work have now reached a world stage. A documentary film about Fatima will be shown next month at the famous Cannes Film Festival in France.
Her Last Words, Just Before Death
Just a few hours before she died, Fatima posted a photo on Facebook. It was a picture of the sunset taken from her balcony. She wrote:
“This is the first sunset I’ve seen in many days.”
In another post, she shared a deep and emotional message. She wrote:
“If I must talk about death—if I die—I want to die in a loud way. I don’t want to be just a number in a breaking news story. I want a death that the whole world hears about. I want to leave a mark that stays forever—a picture that no time or place can bury.”
It feels like her words came true. Even though she is gone, her voice is being heard around the world, and her story has not been forgotten.
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A Film About Her Life: “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk”
A powerful documentary film called “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” tells the story of Fatima’s life, her work, and her struggles in Gaza. The film is 110 minutes long and was made by director Farhad Farsi.
The director said that the film is based on conversations between him and Fatima over the past year. It is more than just a film. It is a real document of the pain and suffering in Gaza. Through this film, the world can understand what is happening there.
He also said:
“This film opened a window for me to meet Fatima in a magical way. She was my eyes inside Gaza, and I was her connection to the outside world.”
Her Dream to Attend Cannes: A Dream That Never Came True
When Fatima heard that the documentary about her was selected for the Cannes Festival, she became hopeful. She started thinking about how to travel to France and attend the festival. The director also tried to find a way to bring her there.
Fatima felt both excited and scared. She pondered how she would safely return to Gaza after the celebration. Sadly, fate was not kind to her. She never went to Cannes. Her narrative spread around the world, but she wasn’t there to witness it.
A Brave Journalist Who Showed the Truth
Fatima was more than a photojournalist. She was a witness to the real life of people in Gaza. She had studied at the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza. She used her camera not just to take photos but to tell the world about the difficult life her people were facing every day.
People all over the world were able to observe the suffering, fear, and courage of Gazans through her photographs.
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Gaza: A Graveyard for Journalists
According to the United Nations, at least 209 journalists have been killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict. Some of them died while working, and others died inside their homes.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said:
“Palestinian journalists are doing their jobs with great courage, but they are paying a terrible price for it.”
A Loud Death That the World Could Not Ignore
Fatima Hassouna was a strong and fearless woman. She gave her life while doing what she loved—telling the truth through her camera. Today, she is no longer alive, but her story is alive.
Her words, her dreams, and her pictures have become a symbol of hope and resistance. Her death, which she once described as something “loud,” is now being heard around the world.
“I did not disappear. I became a picture. I crossed death and became a symbol.”
Source: KalBela
