Gaza-based Al Jazeera journalist Youmna El Sayed in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, on Sunday, says she had to flee her home base after being displaced six times by the Israeli army. Photo: Matthew Hirsch.
By Matthew Hirsch – IN SUMMARY:
- Youmna El Sayed’s Displacement: Gaza-based Al Jazeera journalist, Youmna El Sayed, fled to Egypt in December due to bombings. Her daughter, Joury, missed home and her kitten left behind.
- Evacuation by IDF: Her family was displaced six times. In October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gave them five minutes to evacuate Gaza City before levelling their building.
- El Sayed’s Decision to Leave: She left Gaza to save her children, acknowledging her privilege in being able to evacuate while many others could not.
- Targeting Journalists: El Sayed accuses the IDF of deliberately targeting journalists, noting that journalism offices were bombed early in the war and journalists were forced to evacuate despite wearing press gear.
- Media Criticism: She criticizes the media for focusing on Israeli hostages while ignoring Palestinian civilian deaths and detentions. Thousands of Palestinians, including civilians, have been detained and tortured by Israel since October.
- International Journalists Barred: She claims international journalists were denied access to expose atrocities in Gaza.
- Plea to Pro-Israelis: El Sayed encourages pro-Israelis to visit Gaza and imagine their children in Palestinians’ shoes to change their perspective.
- Death Toll: Approximately 42,000 people have died since 7 October – over 40,000 Palestinians and nearly 1,500 Israelis. 116 journalists have been killed. The Lancet warns the actual death toll in Gaza may be much higher.
- Recognition: El Sayed received the Pimentel Fonseca Civil Journalism Award in April.
