Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi has been killed during armed confrontations in Gaza – only days after ceasefire was led to under United States (US) President Donald Trump’s new peace plan.
As per the details, the 28-year-old reporter, who was known for his coverage of the war, was shot dead by members of an “armed militia” while covering in the Sabra area.
Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency verified that the footage showed Aljafarawi’s body on the back of a truck while still wearing a “press” flak jacket. He had been missing since Sunday morning.
Although officials have not yet formally verified it, local sources said that Hamas’ security forces and Doghmush clan were involved in fighting in Sabra.
A senior official from Gaza’s Ministry of Interior told Al Jazeera that the clashes were with “an armed militia affiliated with the [Israeli] occupation”. Security forces, the official said, had surrounded the militia, and claimed its members killed displaced residents.
Officials have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s security situation is unpredictable and unstable despite the ceasefire remaining in effect.
Aljafarawi had earlier told Al Jazeera what it was like to be displaced. “All the scenes and situations I went through during these 467 days will not be erased from my memory. All the situations we faced, we will never be able to forget them,” he said in January.
The journalist had also revealed that he received several threats from Israel because of his reporting. “Honestly, I lived in fear for every second, especially after hearing what the Israeli occupation was saying about me. I was living life second to second, not knowing what the next second would bring.”
His death adds to the devastating damage to Gaza’s media community. Since after the genocide began in October 2023, more than 270 journalists and media workers lost their lives, making it the deadliest genocide for journalists in modern history.
Meanwhile, world leaders, including President Trump, are expected to gather in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a Gaza summit co-hosted by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
According to Egypt’s presidential office, the meeting aims “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and usher in a new era of regional security and stability”.
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that a “document ending the war in the Gaza Strip” is expected to be signed during what it described as a “historic” summit.
Neither Israel nor Hamas will be represented at the talks.