"I entrust you with Palestine": A murdered Gaza journalist pleads amid his people’s erasure

This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that Allah would extend my life so I could return with my family and loved ones to our original town of occupied Asqalan (Al-Majdal).

But 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, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification—so that Allah may bear witness against those who stayed silent, those who accepted our killing, those who choked our breath, and whose hearts were unmoved by the scattered remains of our children and women, doing nothing to stop the massacre that our people have faced for more than a year and a half.

Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland.

I entrust you with Palestine—the jewel in the crown of the Muslim world, the heartbeat of every free person in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its wronged and innocent children who never had the time to dream or live in safety and peace. Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart and scattered across the walls.

I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland. I entrust you to take care of my family. I entrust you with my beloved daughter Sham, the light of my eyes, whom I never got the chance to watch grow up as I had dreamed.

I entrust you with my dear son Salah, whom I had wished to support and accompany through life until he grew strong enough to carry my burden and continue the mission.

I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose blessed prayers brought me to where I am, whose supplications were my fortress and whose light guided my path. I pray that Allah grants her strength and rewards her on my behalf with the best of rewards.

I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah (Bayan), from whom the war separated me for many long days and months. Yet she remained faithful to our bond, steadfast as the trunk of an olive tree that does not bend—patient, trusting in Allah, and carrying the responsibility in my absence with all her strength and faith.

I urge you to stand by them, to be their support after Allah Almighty. If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles. I testify before Allah that I am content with His decree, certain of meeting Him, and assured that what is with Allah is better and everlasting.

Make my blood a light

O Allah, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path of freedom for my people and my family. Forgive me if I have fallen short, and pray for me with mercy, for I kept my promise and never changed or betrayed it.

Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif 06.04.2025

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Anas Jamal Mahmoud Al-Sharif (3 December 1996 – 10 August 2025) was a Palestinian journalist and videographer for Al Jazeera Arabic. Born in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, he graduated from Al-Aqsa University with a degree in mass communication.

Al-Sharif gained recognition for his courageous frontline reporting from northern Gaza during the Gaza war, refusing to leave despite repeated Israeli orders and threats. He documented daily airstrikes and civilian suffering, providing vital coverage from one of the most dangerous conflict zones.

Throughout the conflict, Al-Sharif faced baseless accusations from the Israeli military alleging links to Hamas, which were condemned by human rights groups and international press organisations.

He was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a press gathering outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, along with four colleagues.

The following statement was published on 11 August 2025 on Anas Al-Sharif’s Twitter account. Since the genocidal war began on 7 October 2023, Israel has deliberately killed 237 journalists. This has occurred while Israel continues to block the entry of foreign journalists.

Photo screenshot of Anas Al-Sharif from Aljazeera Arabiya.