Saeed Al-Taweel, a Palestinian journalist from Rafah, Gaza, was killed by an Israeli rocket on October 10 while covering Israeli attacks in Gaza. Despite being ordered to evacuate his office before it was bombed, Saeed and his team continued reporting from another location, which was later targeted, leading to his death.

Saeed left behind his wife, Fatma Al Okor, and four children: Radwan (12), Abed Alrahman (11), Noran (6), and Lojayen (9 months). The family had been planning to travel to Egypt for a wedding and to pursue Saeed’s doctoral studies in Sudan, but the Israeli assault shattered those plans and their dreams.

Saeed was a passionate and ambitious journalist who held a bachelor’s degree from Al-Aqsa University and a master’s in public relations from the Islamic University of Gaza. He was also a social activist, known for his media initiatives like Akhbar Ala Alreeg, which made news accessible in everyday language, and charitable projects like Hagak Alena and Samh Tojar.

Fatma’s grief deepened when her family faced more tragedy: a few days after Saeed's death, Israeli soldiers destroyed her brothers’ homes and killed one brother's wife and three children, aged 3, 5, and 8. We are not number : tribute to Saeed Al Taweel

Saeed Al-Taweel was editor-in-chief of Al-Khamsa news agency, Mohammed Rizq Sobh was a photojournalist for Khabar news agency, Hisham Al-Nawajiha was a correspondent with Khabar news agency.

On October 9, while covering the violent bombing of Gaza City, journalists Saeed Radwan al-Taweel, a resident of the Rafah Governorate in the south and editor-in-chief of the Al-Khamsa News website, and journalist Mohammad Rizq Sobh, a resident of Gaza and photographer for Khabar Agency, were killed. In the same bombing, journalist Hisham Al-Nawajiha, who was also covering the events, was severely injured and died later that same day.

Saeed Al-Taweel was a Palestinian journalist living in Rafah, southern Gaza. On October 9, while covering Israeli attacks in Gaza, he was killed after being targeted by an Israeli rocket. While filming events, Saeed and his news team were ordered by Israeli forces to leave their office before it was bombed. They relocated and continued filming, but that location was also struck, resulting in the deaths of both Mohammad Rizq Sobh and Saeed Al-Taweel.

The Israeli army targeted the Al-Hiji building in Gaza City, which housed several media offices.

All the journalists were wearing their press jackets and were on duty during the assault.

Hisham Al-Nawajiha

UNESCO Director-General Statement :

"16 October 2023 (Last update:10 September 2024) I deplore the death of journalists Saeed Al-Taweel, Mohammed Sobboh and Hisham Alnwajha and I request an independent investigation to determine the circumstances of this tragedy. Journalists covering conflict situations must be protected as civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professional and associated personnel in situations of conflict. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General

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The three journalists were killed in an airstrike on Gaza on 10 October 2023. Reports indicate the three were covering the evacuation of a nearby residential building when the missile strike occurred.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. "