Heartbreaking will of a journalist killed in Israeli strike goes viral

Mariam Aby Dagga was one of the victims of the latest Israeli massacre, in which five journalists were killed when the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, Gaza, was bombed.

As condemnation of the targeting of journalists continued, an alleged will of Mariam Abu Dagga, a journalist who covered the war for numerous media outlets, began to circulate on social media.

Ghaith, the Palestinian child and son of journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, published what he said was his mother's last will to him.

It read, "Ghaith, you are your mother's heart and soul. I want you to pray for me, not cry for me, so that I can stay happy. I want you to be proud of me and to excel and fulfil your potential. I want you to become a successful businessman as you wish, my dear son."

In her message, she wrote, "I don't want you to forget me. I did everything I could to keep you happy and comfortable. I would do anything for you. When you grow up, get married and have a daughter, please name her Maryam after me. You are my love, my heart, my support, my soul, and the son who makes me proud.' I am always happy to hear that you are clever and honest. Ghaith, please never abandon your prayers."

Hours before her death, Mariam Abu Dagga shared an emotional message on social media, describing the suffering endured by Palestinians under bombardment. In it, she wrote, "When you see the dirt covering your most precious possessions, you realise how trivial life is."

The Gaza Strip's Civil Defence announced that 20 people had died, including five journalists and one of its own members, in two Israeli strikes targeting Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.

According to the Civil Defence, the Al Yassin Medical Building within Nasser Hospital was targeted by an Israeli suicide drone. While those killed and injured were being transported away, the site was bombed again by an airstrike. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate described the two raids as "assassinations" of journalists Mohammed Salama, Mariam Abu Dagga, Moaz Abu Taha, Hossam Al Masry, and Ahmed Abu Aziz. The syndicate said they were killed, while carrying out their professional duty of covering the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Human rights organisations have asserted that approximately 200 journalists and media personnel have been killed since the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip commenced over 22 months ago.