Gaza journalist from Cannes documentary killed in Israeli air strike

Gaza journalist from Cannes documentary killed in Israeli air strike

Fatima Hassouna, a war documentarian who has followed the conflict in Gaza on the ground for 18 months, was killed this week along with seven members of her family Israeli airstrike killed. Her life and work will be honored at the Cannes Film Festival next month.

A legacy in pictures

"When I die, I want a loud death, I don't want to be mentioned in a news story or as a number in a group," Hassouna wrote in an Instagram post in August 2024. "I want the world to hear about my death, for it to leave a lasting impression and for the everlasting images not to be buried by time or space," the photojournalist added.

Losses and injuries

The Ministry of Health in Gaza told CNN on Friday that Hassouna's parents survived the airstrike but suffered serious injuries and are in intensive care.

Reactions to the air raid

The Palestine Journalists’ Protection Center (PJPC) expressed regret over the loss of Hassouna. The attack that hit her family home on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City also claimed the lives of several of her family members. The organization called the attack a “crime” against journalists and a violation of international law.

“Fatima's powerful photographs documenting life under siege have been published worldwide and highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the war,” the PJPC said.

The position of the Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that the target was "a terrorist from the Hamas brigade in Gaza City" and that measures were being taken to minimize the risk to civilians. “The terrorist planned and carried out terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians,” it said in a statement, without giving further details.

Memories of Fatima Hassouna

Hamza Hassouna, Fatima's cousin, told CNN about the attack on Friday: "I was sitting when suddenly two rockets fell, one next to me and one in the living room. The house collapsed on us and everything was a disaster," he said.

Hassouna shared her photos on Facebook and Instagram, where she had more than 35,000 followers. Her images documented the challenges of everyday life in Gaza and life under Israeli bombardment.

A moving documentary

She was also part of the documentary film by Sepideh Farsi titled “Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk”, which was selected for the ACID section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. A statement from the director describes the film as "a window opened by a miraculous encounter with Fatima" into the "ongoing massacre of the Palestinians."

Tribute to a Sunny Person

Following the news of Hassouna's death, Iranian Farsi director shared a photo on social media on Friday showing herself with Hassouna, who is smiling. "My last picture of her is a smile. I hold on to it today," Farsi wrote alongside the picture.

Farsi emphasized that Hassouna was “a very bright and sunny person” who had an amazing smile. “She was optimistic by nature,” the director added, recalling that they had worked on the documentary for more than a year and knew each other well.

One last contact

Farsi went on to say that she was last in touch with her the day before Hassouna's death to give her "the good news" about the documentary. “We both discussed that she would travel to France in May to present the documentary with me at Cannes, as she is the main protagonist,” Farsi said.

“I thought it was a mistake when I heard about her death,” Farsi added. “I hope this documentary will shed light on their lives in Gaza and serve in their memory.”

The statistics of journalistic losses

According to the PJPC, the number of journalists who have died in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 has risen to 212, which, according to several journalists' associations, is one unprecedented loss represents. The organization called on the international community to immediately launch an investigation into the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

Neighborhood Memories

Hassouna's neighbor, Um Aed Ajur, described Hassouna as proud of her work. She questioned the justification for the attack on her home and said she and her family had “no connection” to any group. “We have been neighbors for 35 years and have never heard of them being affiliated with anything (or anyone),” she added.

The last words

Hassouna's last post on her Facebook page was a series of photos of Gaza fishermen by the sea that she posted last Saturday, less than a week before her death. She accompanied the pictures with a short poem.

"From here you get to know the city. You enter, but you don't leave anymore, because you won't leave and you can't leave," she wrote.

Reporting by CNN's Lauren Izso.