Iran’s Culture Minister Honors Fallen Gaza Photojournalist in Heartfelt Tribute

In a heart-wrenching development, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Seyyed Abbas Salehi, took to social media platform X to express his profound sorrow over the tragic death of Gaza-based photojournalist Fatima Hassouna. This talented young woman was killed alongside her family in an Israeli airstrike, making her a poignant symbol of Gaza’s ongoing suffering.

Salehi’s emotional message highlighted Hassouna’s significant contributions to the documentary film “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” which had just been accepted into the Cannes festival a day before her untimely death. He stated, “Her pure blood runs through the veins of the images she captured, and it is the imagery that endures.”

At just 25 years old, Hassouna had gained international recognition for her compelling documentation of the devastating effects of Israeli military operations on the civilians of Gaza. Tragically, she lost her life when an Israeli airstrike targeted her home in Gaza City.

In her own words, Hassouna once expressed, “If I die, I want a loud death. I don’t want to be just breaking news, or a number in a group; I want a death that the world will hear, an impact that will remain through time, and a timeless image that cannot be buried by time or place.” This haunting statement reflects her dedication to her craft and her desire for her work to resonate globally.

Only days before her wedding, Hassouna was killed in an airstrike that also claimed the lives of nine family members, including her pregnant sister. The Israeli military claimed the airstrike was aimed at a Hamas member linked to attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Reports indicate that Hassouna’s death occurred just 24 hours after her documentary “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” directed by France-based Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi, was selected for the independent ACID section of the Cannes Film Festival. This documentary features heartfelt visual dialogues between Farsi and Hassouna, beginning with Farsi’s quest to comprehensively document the ongoing events in Gaza.

Farsi recounted her last conversation with Hassouna, during which she extended an invitation for her to attend the Cannes festival, sharing the exciting news of the film’s selection. “She expressed eagerness to attend, but insisted she would only go if she could return to Gaza,” Farsi noted, emphasizing Hassouna’s deep connection to her homeland.

Farsi also shared the challenges she faced in arranging travel for Hassouna, expressing concern over the possibility of separating her from her family during such a tumultuous time. She voiced fears that Hassouna might have become a target due to her journalistic work, noting that as of February 16, at least 157 journalists and media workers had been reported killed in Gaza amid the ongoing violence.

In light of this tragedy, Farsi strongly criticized Israeli assertions that a Hamas officer was present in Hassouna’s home at the time of the strike, calling such claims “completely false” and describing the situation as “disastrous.”

The impact of the ongoing conflict has been devastating. According to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry and confirmed by the United Nations, at least 51,065 individuals have lost their lives since the fighting erupted 18 months ago. However, a statistical survey published in The Lancet medical journal has suggested that the actual death toll may be as much as 15,000 higher.

In a statement, the French Independent Cinema Association, which oversees the ACID section, expressed their horror at Hassouna’s death. They stated, “We had watched and programmed a film in which this young woman’s life force seemed like a miracle. Her smile was as magical as her tenacity. Bearing witness, photographing Gaza, distributing food despite the bombs, mourning and hunger. We heard her story, rejoiced at each of her appearances to see her alive, we feared for her.”

The association concluded, “Yesterday, we learned with horror that an Israeli missile targeted her building, killing Fatima and her family. The film we chose to screen showcased her remarkable spirit, but now, we are compelled to present a different narrative.”

Since the escalation of violence following the October 7, 2023, attacks, more than 51,000 people have been reported killed, with over half being women and children, as per the Gaza Health Ministry. Following a brief ceasefire, Israel has renewed its airstrikes with intensity, resulting in at least 30 fatalities from strikes conducted on Friday alone.

This tragic loss of life not only highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis but also serves as a stark reminder of the personal stories behind the statistics. Fatima Hassouna’s legacy as a dedicated photojournalist who sought to expose the truth of Gaza’s plight will endure through her powerful imagery and the voices of those she inspired.