A journalist’s life cut short in Gaza

By Yahya al-Yaaqobi

Gaza (Quds News Network) – In the early hours of the morning, Hind awoke to a heartbreaking news story that would shatter her world. Israeli forces had bombed the third and fourth floors of her sister Salam Meema’s house, leaving Salam, her husband Mohammed Al-Masri, and their children Hadi, Ali, and Sham trapped beneath the rubble for several days.

Just two hours before the incident, the two sisters had exchanged messages on social media, discussing the airstrikes and the challenging circumstances amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. The conversation concluded at 1 a.m. when Salam remarked to her sister, “Only what God has written will happen,” as her children awoke, startled by the intensity of the bombing.

Hind couldn’t sleep for long, and the family received a call from relatives confirming the destruction of Salam’s home while they were peacefully asleep.

“We stayed awake until 5 a.m., hoping for news that would ease our hearts. Then, our father went to the hospital and found nothing but the lifeless body of my sister’s husband. We returned the next day to search for them. After 34 hours, we found Salam’s son, Ali. The search continued for several days, but we couldn’t locate their bodies,” recounts Hind, reliving the tragic events.

“It’s like a dream,” wrote journalist Meema before her departure, witnessing a bloody war waged by Israeli occupation forces on Gaza. Her sister, Hind, sees her sister’s death as an unreal dream that she has yet to awaken from, with Salam’s child serving as a constant reminder of her.

Born on November 13, 1990, Meema studied Arabic language and literature at Al-Aqsa University. Her journalism career began during her university years as she reported for Al-Istiqlal newspaper. She later worked for various media outlets, including the Palestinian Media Consortium, Al-Quds Radio, and Palestine Today TV.

In 2015, Meema married Mohammed Al-Masri and became the mother of three children: Hadi (7), Ali (6), and Sham (2). Her sister attests to Meema’s dedication as a mother, stating, “Since her children started school, Salam’s thoughts were focused on making them the best people and building a future for them.”

Before the Israeli offensive on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Meema spent her final day with her family. Hind recalls, “She spent three memorable days with us, but then the war began, and communication became difficult due to the cutting of phone lines and internet.”

Despite ending her journalistic work months ago, Meema utilized her social media platform as a means to stay informed and shared news with her family. She had a deep love for her children and continued to act as an activist, posting updates and news on her Facebook page until her last moments.

In the face of immense grief, Hind and her family remember Meema not only as a talented journalist but also as a devoted mother and a courageous voice that sought to shed light on the truth in the midst of devastation.