A Living Record: Honoring the Journalists Lost in Gaza

The initiative, spearheaded by the New York War Crimes collective under the Writers Against the War on Gaza project, began as a tribute to Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif. However, the scope expanded as contributors insisted that these reporters be honored as a collective force rather than singular icons. The archive now features spoken testimonies from photographers, professors, and students who worked alongside those who lost their lives while documenting the humanitarian crisis in the north.

Colleagues describe al-Sharif as a steadfast presence who refused to leave northern Gaza despite intense military pressure and starvation. Similarly, freelance journalist Baraa Lafi shared memories of visual journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who was killed in a double-tap strike on Nasser Hospital. Lafi, who was wounded in the same attack, recalled how Abu Dagga frequently set aside her camera to comfort mothers and children in the midst of bombardment. Peabody Award winner Bisan Owda emphasized that these journalists remained committed to their mission despite the near-total destruction of the region’s civilian infrastructure.

This launch coincides with ongoing protests in New York City demanding accountability for the high death toll among media workers. As the conflict enters its third year, the collective plans to continue publishing eulogies, framing the work as a necessary act of historical preservation against the erasure of the truth.