Imagine capturing the world’s harsh realities, only for your own lens to document your final moments. Mariam Dagga, a brave Gaza journalist, left behind powerful images and a heartbreaking letter to her son. Her story is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made to bring us the truth. What would you want your last message to be?
The final images captured by Palestinian visual journalist Mariam Dagga offer a harrowing glimpse into the moments preceding her tragic death at Nasser Hospital in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the severe risks faced by reporters in active conflict zones. These deeply poignant photographs, retrieved from her camera days after the incident, document the immediate aftermath of an initial airstrike and the very location where a subsequent attack would claim her life and those of many others.
On August 25, 2025, Dagga, a dedicated freelancer for The Associated Press, was among 22 individuals, including five journalists, who perished when Israeli forces targeted the vicinity of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. This devastating incident, confirmed by health officials, highlights the relentless danger that engulfs civilian and medical infrastructure, and particularly those who strive to document the unfolding humanitarian crisis amidst the intense Gaza conflict.
Her last series of photographs visually narrate the chaos, depicting individuals navigating a damaged stairwell outside the hospital following a preliminary strike, while others gazed out of windows at the main health facility in southern Gaza. These raw images serve as a crucial, firsthand account, capturing the precarious existence and immediate reactions of those caught within the crossfire of escalating hostilities, painting a vivid picture of the destruction.
Contrasting narratives emerged regarding the target of the strikes, with the Israeli military suggesting it aimed at what it believed to be a surveillance camera. However, eyewitnesses and health officials offered a different perspective, asserting that the first strike killed a Reuters cameraman and another unnamed individual, while a senior Hamas official vehemently denied any Hamas involvement with a camera at the hospital site, adding layers of complexity to the incident.
Throughout the conflict, Dagga, 33, alongside numerous other reporters, consistently based herself at Nasser Hospital, which served as a crucial hub for documenting the plight of displaced Palestinians and the heroic efforts of medical professionals treating the wounded. Her work was instrumental in bringing to light the daily struggles and resilience of ordinary people, often focusing on poignant human stories through her lens, making her a vital voice in war photography.
In a profoundly emotional moment, Algeria’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, delivered a moving tribute to Dagga by reading a letter she had penned just days before her killing. Addressed to her 13-year-old son, Gaith, who had sought refuge with his father in the United Arab Emirates at the war’s outset, the letter offered a personal and heart-wrenching insight into her motivations and fears.
Holding up a photograph of the young journalist, Bendjama tearfully described Mariam as “a young and beautiful mother” whose only “weapon” was her camera, emphasizing the peaceful nature of her profession. He quoted her heartfelt message to Gaith: “You are the heart and soul of your mother. When I die, I want you to pray for me, not to cry for me.”
Her final written words, filled with maternal love and an enduring spirit, implored her son: “I want you never, never to forget me. I did everything to keep you happy and safe and when you grow, when you marry, and when you have a daughter, name her Mariam after me.” This powerful testament stands as a stark reminder of the personal cost of conflict and the indomitable spirit of journalists committed to press freedom, even in the face of extreme danger.
