In a bold recognition of courage amidst conflict, four Palestinian journalists have been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
Their fearless reporting throughout the Gaza war has brought global attention to the human stories behind the headlines.
Photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, TV reporter Hind Khoudary, journalist and activist Bisan Owda, and veteran reporter Wael Al-Dahdouh have all been honored for their bravery in covering the ongoing conflict.
Earlier this month, Owda became the focus of a heated debate when the National Academy for Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) stood by its decision to nominate her for an Emmy. This followed a letter of criticism from Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel nonprofit group, challenging the nomination.
Owda, a 25-year-old journalist from conflict-ridden Gaza, was nominated for her documentary It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive, in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category. Her film was selected from over 50 entries in one of the year’s most competitive categories.
On social media, Azaiza shared: “I’ve been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for providing the world with a glimpse into the atrocities in Gaza. Wish me luck and I hope my people will get peace now. Free Palestine.”
Before the war, Azaiza’s posts showcased the everyday life and beauty of Gaza. However, he rose to prominence by shedding light on the wartime struggles of Palestinians.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has registered a total of 285 candidates for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, which includes 196 individuals and 89 organizations.
The nominations for this year highlighted a broad spectrum of peace advocates, encompassing those engaged in resolving conflicts around the world, including the crises in Gaza and Ukraine.
According to Palestine’s Health Ministry, relentless Israeli bombardments have resulted in at least 40,405 Palestinian deaths and 93,356 injuries.
Journalists working in Palestinian territories face heightened risks as they cover the conflict amid Israeli ground assaults and airstrikes. They contend with disrupted communications, supply shortages, and frequent power outages.
According to statistics, more than 130 Palestinian journalists and media professionals have been killed by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza since October 7. At least 30 of them were killed in the course of their work. Three Lebanese journalists and an Israeli journalist have also been killed during the same period.
The report reveals that about 12% of Gazan journalists have been killed since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, a mortality rate surpassing that of combat soldiers in many conflicts. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) attributes this “unusually high” rate to the deliberate targeting of journalists by Israeli forces during military operations in the region.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 11 and presented on December 10, continuing the tradition of honoring individuals who work for peace and human rights under challenging conditions.
