Palestinian journalist's last words

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Hi Diogenes,

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif was a Palestinian journalist from Gaza.

He was killed, along with four of his Al Jazeera colleagues and two others, including his nephew, in a targeted Israeli air strike on a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital on 10 August 2025.

Below, we are republishing his final statement, which was published posthumously on his X account.

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'Israel has succeeded in killing me': Anas Jamal Al-Sharif's last words

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif

This is my will and my final message. If these words of mine reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.

Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah. Allah knows that I exerted every effort and strength I had to be a support and a voice for my people, from the moment I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that Allah would prolong my life until I could return with my family and loved ones to our original hometown, the occupied Ascalon "Majdal." But Allah's will prevailed, and His decree was fulfilled.

I lived pain in all its details and tasted loss and grief time and again. Yet, I never hesitated for a single day to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification, hoping that Allah would bear witness to those who remained silent, those who accepted our killing, and those who besieged our breaths, unmoved by the remains of our children and women, and who did not stop the massacre that our people have been enduring for over a year and a half.

I entrust you with Palestine, the jewel in the crown of Muslims, the beating heart of every free person in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its oppressed young children who were not given the chance to dream or live in safety and peace, whose pure bodies were crushed by thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart, their remains scattered on the walls. I urge you not to let chains silence you or borders hold you back. Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our plundered homeland.

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I entrust you to take care of my family, I entrust you with the apple of my eye, my beloved daughter Sham, whom time did not grant me to see grow as I had dreamed. I entrust you with my dear son Salah, whom I wished to support and be a companion for until he grew strong, to carry the burden from me and continue the mission.

I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose prayers blessed me to reach where I did. Her supplications were my fortress, and her light was my path. I pray to Allah to grant her heart patience and to reward her on my behalf with the best reward.

I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah Bayan, whom war separated from me for long days and months. Yet she remained steadfast, like an unyielding olive tree trunk, patient and trusting in Allah, carrying the responsibility in my absence with all strength and faith. I urge you to rally around them and be their support after Allah, the Mighty and Exalted.

If I die, I die steadfast in my principles, bearing witness before Allah that I am content with His decree, faithful in meeting Him, and certain that what is with Allah is better and everlasting. O Allah, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path to freedom for my people and my family.

Forgive me if I fell short, and pray for me for mercy, for I have kept my pledge and neither changed nor wavered. Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your righteous prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif
06.04.2025

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