Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini discusses documenting Gaza conflict

Award-winning Palestinian journalist and human rights defender Maha Hussaini has shared her experiences reporting on the conflict in Gaza. In a recent interview, Hussaini described the reality of documenting starvation and displacement while experiencing them firsthand, noting that journalists often feel like the ‘main character’ of the stories they cover.

Hussaini discussed the psychological toll of reporting, including survivor’s guilt and the specific suffering faced by women. She also noted that her articles, written during periods of total communication blackouts, have been cited before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The report highlights the high casualty rates among media workers in the region. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, at least 263 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed since October 2023. Other organizations provide varying counts: the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented at least 189 deaths, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports at least 203, and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports nearly 220.