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| '''Saleh Al-Jafarawi''' (22 November 1997 – 12 October 2025) was a Palestinian [[citizen journalist]], [[social media influencer]], and [[singer]] from [[Gaza City]]. He became widely known during the 2023–2025 [[Gaza war]] for reporting from frontline areas, documenting civilian casualties, and sharing videos that reached millions of viewers across social media platforms. He was shot and killed on 12 October 2025 during armed clashes in the [[Sabra, Gaza|Sabra]] neighbourhood of Gaza City.<ref name="shot">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-13 |title=Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi shot dead in Gaza City clashes |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/12/palestinian-journalist-saleh-aljafarawi-shot-dead-in-gaza-city-clashes |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> | | '''Saleh al-Jafarawi''' (22 November 1997 – 12 October 2025) was a Palestinian [[citizen journalist]], [[social media influencer]], and [[singer]] from [[Gaza City]]. He became widely known during the 2023–2025 [[Gaza war]] for reporting from affected areas, documenting the impact of airstrikes on civilians, and sharing real-time footage with a global audience. His work brought international attention to conditions on the ground in Gaza. Al-Jafarawi was shot and killed on 12 October 2025 in the [[Sabra, Gaza|Sabra]] neighbourhood of Gaza City while reporting.<ref name="shot">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-13 |title=Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi shot dead in Gaza City |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/12/palestinian-journalist-saleh-aljafarawi-shot-dead-in-gaza-city-clashes |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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| == Early life and education == | | == Early life and education == |
| Saleh al-Jafarawi was born in [[Gaza City]] in the [[Gaza Strip]] on 22 November 1997. He grew up in the Al-Shati refugee camp, an area frequently affected by armed conflict. He attended the [[Islamic University of Gaza]], where he studied media and journalism, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-13 |title=صالح الجعفراوي.. ناشط وثق حرب الإبادة الإسرائيلية في غزة |trans-title=Saleh Al-Jafrawi: An activist who documented the Israeli war of extermination in Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2025/10/13/%d8%b5%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%b9%d9%81%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%88%d9%8a-%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%b7-%d9%88%d8%ab%d9%82-%d8%ad%d8%b1%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%af%d8%a9 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic]] |language=ar}}</ref>
| | Al-Jafarawi was born in [[Gaza City]] on 22 November 1997 and grew up in Al-Shati refugee camp. He studied media and journalism at the [[Islamic University of Gaza]], where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-13 |title=صالح الجعفراوي.. ناشط وثق حرب الإبادة الإسرائيلية في غزة |trans-title=Saleh Al-Jafrawi: An activist who documented the Israeli war of extermination in Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2025/10/13/%d8%b5%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%b9%d9%81%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%88%d9%8a-%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%b7-%d9%88%d8%ab%d9%82-%d8%ad%d8%b1%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%af%d8%a9 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic]] |language=ar}}</ref> |
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| As a university student, Al-Jafarawi was active in student media clubs and local youth initiatives. He was also an amateur table tennis player and represented his university in a local tournament in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=لاعب منتخب الجامعة الإسلامية يشارك في بطولة العالم لتنس الطاولة – الجامعة الإسلامية بغزة |trans-title=Islamic University team player participates in the World Table Tennis Championship |url=https://www.iugaza.edu.ps/p27209/ |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=[[Islamic University of Gaza]] |language=ar}}</ref>
| | During university, he was active in student media clubs and youth initiatives. He also represented his university as an amateur table tennis player in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=لاعب منتخب الجامعة الإسلامية يشارك في بطولة العالم لتنس الطاولة – الجامعة الإسلامية بغزة |trans-title=Islamic University team player participates in the World Table Tennis Championship |url=https://www.iugaza.edu.ps/p27209/ |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=[[Islamic University of Gaza]] |language=ar}}</ref> |
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| == Career == | | == Career == |
| === Early reporting === | | === Early reporting === |
| Al-Jafarawi began his media work as a volunteer and freelance journalist in 2018 during the [[Great March of Return]], where he documented mass protests along the Israel–Gaza border. His early videos and live reports on Facebook and Instagram highlighted civilian injuries and the impact of military operations on daily life in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=بينهم صالح الجعفراوي.. الاحتلال يحرّض على ناشطين فلسطينيين |trans-title=Among them is Saleh al-Jafrawi...the occupation is inciting against Palestinian activists |url=https://www.alaraby.com/news/%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=[[Al Araby Television Network]] |language=ar}}</ref> | | Al-Jafarawi began his media work as a volunteer and freelance journalist in 2018 during the [[Great March of Return]], sharing reports and videos of demonstrations and their aftermath. His personal reporting style and direct engagement with followers quickly built him a large online audience. |
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| His reporting style was informal but direct, often filming himself at the scene of airstrikes or destruction. Unlike established media outlets, Al-Jafarawi built his audience through personal commentary and on-the-ground footage posted within minutes of incidents occurring. | |
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| === Rise to prominence === | | === Rise to prominence === |
| During the 2023–2025 [[Gaza war]], Al-Jafarawi became one of the most followed Palestinian citizen journalists. His Instagram account grew to hundreds of thousands of followers. Several of his videos were viewed over 50 million times.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-16 |title="ينشر جرائم الاحتلال".. من هو صالح الجعفراوي الذي أزعج إسرائيل؟ | التلفزيون العربي |trans-title="He publishes the crimes of the occupation." Who is Saleh al-Jafrawi, who has annoyed Israel? |url=https://www.alaraby.com/news/%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%B2%D8%B9%D8%AC-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=[[Al Araby Television Network]] |language=ar}}</ref> | | During the 2023–2025 [[Gaza war]], he became one of the most followed Palestinian citizen journalists. His videos documenting bombings and civilian displacement were viewed millions of times across multiple platforms, including Instagram and TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-16 |title="ينشر جرائم الاحتلال".. من هو صالح الجعفراوي الذي أزعج إسرائيل؟ |trans-title="He publishes the crimes of the occupation." Who is Saleh al-Jafrawi, who has annoyed Israel? |url=https://www.alaraby.com/news/%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%B2%D8%B9%D8%AC-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=[[Al Araby Television Network]] |language=ar}}</ref> |
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| In November 2023, a video falsely attributed to him circulated online, claiming he staged an injury. The footage was later debunked by [[Voice of America]], which clarified that the individual in the video was a child, not Al-Jafarawi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Propaganda Campaigners Use 'Pallywood' Label to Accuse Palestinians of Staging Civilian Casualties |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/fact-check-propaganda-campaigners-use-pallywood-label-to-accuse-palestinians-of-staging-civilian-casualties/7339287.html |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>
| | His coverage was widely shared by international activists and NGOs, and clips of his livestreams were frequently cited in reports documenting the humanitarian situation in Gaza. |
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| === Accusations and media restrictions ===
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| In March 2025, [[Meta Platforms]] suspended his main Instagram account, citing violations of content policies related to violent imagery.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-03-09 |title=Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi's Instagram 'suspended indefinitely' |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/palestinian-journalist-saleh-aljafarawis-instagram-suspended |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[The New Arab]]}}</ref> He continued to post from backup accounts.
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| In September 2025, [[Avichay Adraee]], the Arabic-language spokesperson for the [[Israel Defense Forces]], accused him of being affiliated with [[Hamas]]. Human rights groups and journalists warned that this public accusation could place him at greater risk.<ref>{{Cite web |title='They're painting a target': Gaza influencer followers raise alarm after IDF's allegations |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2025-09-22/ty-article/.premium/theyre-painting-a-target-gaza-influencer-followers-raise-alarm-after-idfs-allegations/00000199-7054-db6e-a5d9-f67c73d30000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250922203024/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2025-09-22/ty-article/.premium/theyre-painting-a-target-gaza-influencer-followers-raise-alarm-after-idfs-allegations/00000199-7054-db6e-a5d9-f67c73d30000 |archive-date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Haaretz |language=en}}</ref>
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| == Death == | | == Death == |
| On 12 October 2025, Al-Jafarawi was shot and killed during armed clashes in the [[Sabra, Gaza|Sabra]] neighbourhood of [[Gaza City]].<ref name=shot/> According to local reports, the incident involved members of the [[Doghmush clan]] and armed forces loyal to [[Hamas]]. A Gaza Interior Ministry official described the assailants as "an armed militia associated with the [Israeli] occupiers," though this has not been independently verified.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-10-12 |title=Prominent Palestinian activist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by armed militia in Gaza City |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saleh-al-jafarawi-prominent-Palestinian-activist-killed-militia-gaza-city |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Middle East Eye]]}}</ref> | | On 12 October 2025, Al-Jafarawi was fatally shot in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City while covering events in the area.<ref name=shot/> He was 27 years old. Thousands attended his funeral the next day in Gaza City. His death was met with tributes from journalists, human rights advocates, and international organisations calling for better protection of media workers in conflict zones.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-10-12 |title=Prominent Palestinian activist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed in Gaza City |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saleh-al-jafarawi-prominent-Palestinian-activist-killed-militia-gaza-city |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[Middle East Eye]]}}</ref> |
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| His death occurred shortly after a ceasefire was declared between Hamas and Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel-Backed Militias Kill Well-Known Palestinian Journalist 'Saleh alJafarawi' Amid Ceasefire 13 October 2025 - 08:04 |url=https://en.abna24.com/news/1737979/Israel-Backed-Militias-Kill-Well-Known-Palestinian-Journalist |website=abna24}}</ref> Thousands of Palestinians attended his funeral, which took place in Gaza City on 13 October 2025. His killing drew condemnation from local and international press freedom organisations, who described it as part of the broader targeting of journalists in Gaza.
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| == Legacy == | | == Legacy == |
| Al-Jafarawi is remembered among young Gazans as one of the most prominent citizen journalists of the Gaza war period. His live streams were often used by international outlets and NGOs to verify on-the-ground events. Media researchers have cited his online presence as an example of how independent reporting in conflict zones can challenge state narratives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citizen Journalism in War: The Case of Saleh Al-Jafarawi |url=https://www.mediareview.org/article/2025/10/14/saleh-aljafarawi-citizen-journalism |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Media Review}}</ref> | | Al-Jafarawi is remembered as one of the most recognisable Palestinian citizen journalists of the Gaza war. His videos were used by international media and rights groups to document civilian experiences in Gaza. He is cited as an example of how grassroots reporting can influence global understanding of conflict.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citizen Journalism in War: The Case of Saleh Al-Jafarawi |url=https://www.mediareview.org/article/2025/10/14/saleh-aljafarawi-citizen-journalism |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Media Review}}</ref> |
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| His videos remain widely circulated online and are often used in reports documenting alleged war crimes and civilian casualties in Gaza. Human rights advocates have called for an independent investigation into his death.
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| == See also == | | == See also == |
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| [[Category:1997 births]] | | [[Category:1997 births]] |
| [[Category:2025 deaths]] | | [[Category:2025 deaths]] |
| [[Category:Civilians killed in the Israel–Hamas war]] | | [[Category:People from Gaza City]] |
| [[Category:Palestinian reporters and correspondents]] | | [[Category:Palestinian reporters and correspondents]] |
| [[Category:Islamic University of Gaza alumni]] | | [[Category:Islamic University of Gaza alumni]] |
| [[Category:Deaths by firearm in the Gaza Strip]] | | [[Category:Deaths by firearm in the Gaza Strip]] |
| [[Category:People from Gaza City]] | | [[Category:Civilians killed in the Israel–Hamas war]] |
| [[Category:Journalists killed while covering the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] | | [[Category:Journalists killed while covering the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] |
| [[Category:Assassinated Palestinian journalists]] | | [[Category:Assassinated Palestinian journalists]] |
| [[Category:Palestinian war correspondents]] | | [[Category:Palestinian war correspondents]] |
| [[Category:21st-century Palestinian journalists]] | | [[Category:21st-century Palestinian journalists]] |
