The death of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif in an Israeli strike has left Gaza in mourning and the global press community in shock.
His final will, released on social media after his assassination on Sunday, is now resonating deeply across the world.
Al-Sharif, who was killed when a missile hit a journalists’ tent in Gaza City, used his final words to urge the world not to forget Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people.
“I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people,” he wrote.
The 28-year-old reporter had long been recognized as one of Gaza’s most determined voices.
In his will, al-Sharif shared his dream of returning to his family’s original home in occupied Asqalan (Al-Majdal), though he acknowledged that “Allah’s will came first, and His decree is final.”
“I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times,” he wrote. “Yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification.”
His dedication to truthful reporting had made him a vital figure in documenting life in Gaza under siege.
Press freedom groups have described his killing as part of a growing pattern of attacks against journalists.
Al-Sharif’s will also included a deeply personal plea for the safety and well-being of his family.
He leaves behind his mother, wife, and two young children.
“I urge you to stand by them, to be their support after Allah Almighty,” he said. “If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles.”
The Anas al-Sharif killing has sparked global outrage, with rights groups warning that the targeting of journalists undermines international law.
The emotional weight of his final words has touched many around the globe, serving as a reminder of the personal cost of conflict reporting.
Al-Sharif’s message stands as both a farewell and a challenge for the world to remain steadfast in remembering Gaza’s plight, and for journalists everywhere to continue speaking truth, regardless of the risks.
May his soul find rest.
