Yesterday, Tuesday, Tel Aviv Tribune’s bureau chief and correspondent in Gaza, Wael Al-Dahdouh, left the besieged Gaza Strip for Egypt, heading to the Qatari capital, Doha, on a treatment trip after being injured by shrapnel in his hand as a result of the Israeli bombing that targeted him and the martyr photographer, Samer Abu Daqqa, last month during their coverage of the war on Gaza.
The moment our correspondent arrived #Wael_Dahdouh To the Qatari capital, Doha, on board a Qatari evacuation plane, where he will receive treatment following the injury he sustained as a result of the Israeli bombing that targeted him and the martyr Samer Abu Daqqa in Khan Yunis.#Gaza_War pic.twitter.com/ZYyJbvxRoj
– Tel Aviv Tribune Channel (@AJArabic) January 16, 2024
The news of Al-Dahdouh’s exit spread across social media platforms, and was shared by many journalists who were with him in the field in the Gaza Strip, expressing pride and gratitude to Al-Dahdouh, “the mountain man,” who gave the world a lesson in patience and judgment, according to their expressions.
Tel Aviv Tribune’s correspondent in Gaza, Hisham Zaqout, published a photo of himself with Al-Dahdouh and his son Hamza, who was martyred a few days ago in an Israeli bombing that targeted a group of journalists. Hisham commented on the photo by saying:
“May God make it easy for you and have mercy on you… and we will see you well, my love.”
Photographer Hamdan Al-Dahdouh published a “story” (story) on his Instagram account of a picture of himself gathering with Al-Dahdouh and some close associates, in which he wrote, “Uncle Abu Hamza left under duress to receive treatment abroad, and after him we will continue to complete what we started, and continue to cover and report the truth.”
Photographer Bilal Khaled said in a video on his Instagram account in which he hugged Al-Dahdouh, “You are enough and you are dead, Abu Hamza. We will meet you well.”
Users of the “X” platform interacted with the video of Al-Dahdouh’s arrival in Doha, and tweeters described him as a “mountain of patience” and that he will remain a legend and a historical symbol in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Tweeters said that Al-Dahdouh’s exit from the Gaza Strip for treatment is normal, even late, and the least of his rights in a situation like this, after almost his entire family was targeted, and because of the necessity of him completing the journey, God willing, in the upcoming battles, and the great scenes that need “a great like him.”
Wael Al-Dahdouh’s exit from the Gaza Strip for treatment is normal, and even late, and the least of his rights are in such a situation and the danger to his life, after almost his entire family was targeted, and due to the necessity of him continuing the journey, God willing, in the upcoming battles and the great scenes that need a great like him.
Abu Hamza won the sale, and tomorrow you will return home safely.
– Youssef Al-Damouki (@yousefaldomouky) January 16, 2024
Some bloggers commented on Al-Dahdouh’s departure from Gaza by saying that the past period was very difficult for him, and the worst was burdening him beyond his capacity and embodying all of Gaza “with his honorable person. This was a mistake we fell into and which the Israeli occupation seeks to make, and it enters into the factor of psychological warfare.”
Observers pointed out that Al-Dahdouh covered all the wars launched by Israel against the Gaza Strip since 2008, until the last war of genocide that has been going on for more than 100 days, for which his family members paid the price: his wife, two sons, his daughter, his grandson, and a number of his family members, with deliberate targeting, according to what they said.
What does exit mean? #Wael_Dahdouh From sector #Gaza?
The exit of Dahdouh means:
That his life matters
His injured hand, which forced him to go outside, should heal
That his heart must continue to beat despite his pent-up sadness and deep wounds
His eyes must not close to continue transmitting the image
His voice should ring out loud with the truth…– Amel Arissi Amal Al-Arissi (@arissiamel) January 17, 2024
It is noteworthy that Israel killed Al-Dahdouh’s wife, his 15-year-old son, his 7-year-old daughter, and his infant grandson, in an air strike that targeted their home in southern Gaza on October 25, despite the occupation forces announcing before the attack that the area was safe.
On January 7, Al-Dahdouh was shocked by the martyrdom of his son, journalist Hamza, along with his colleague Mustafa Thuraya, when the occupation targeted their car in Gaza.
Despite everything that happened to him during more than 100 days of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Al-Dahdouh remained patient and measured, present at his work around the clock, covering the developments of this cruel war.