Roshdi al-Sarraj
رشدي السراج

Killed by Israel on 22 Oct 2023

Archivist Notes

Rashdi Al-Saraj, 31 years old, from Gaza city was Editor-in-Chief at Ain Media" agency, photographer for "UNRWA" and
various international media outlets, skilled translator for foreign media. He was Killed October 22, 2023 due to an Israeli
airstrike on his home in the Tel al-Hawa area of Gaza City, according to the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency Wafa and Sky News.

According to local news agency WAFA, the bombing of Tal al-Hawa was among many raids carried out by the Israeli army on various areas of the Gaza Strip, killing at least 32 Palestinians. Roshdi’s apartment was damaged in the first week of the war and, along with his wife Shorouq and one-year-old daughter Dania, he moved to the family home in Tal al-Hawa. “The Israelis were bombing our area with no let-up,” said Yahya al-Sarraj, Roshdi’s father and municipal mayor of Gaza City. “Roshdi tried to shield his wife and daughter when the Israeli air raid struck.” The family home was severely damaged, but the 10 family members there survived, except Roshdi, who was hit by shrapnel

Ali Jadallah (Palestinian photojournalist) posted on Instagram, announcing Roshdi’s death by showing an image of a body bag with Roshdi’s name.

His wife, Shrouq Aila, wrote this eulogy, 2 weeks after his murder
"Habibi Roshdi Sarraj,
Exactly one year ago today, you were holding my hand, comforting me during labor. Having you by my side made it so much easier. We chose the name Dania for our daughter, which means "close" in Arabic, so she would forever remain close to our hearts. Today marks her first birthday, and we had planned a grand celebration, envisioning the memories we would create for her. Habibi, it has been two weeks since you were tragically killed while eating breakfast together, and I still hold onto the hope that you will be here to help her blow out her first candle.
I am devastated by the idea of how she will remain "close" to Daddy's heart without remembering his face. She is far too young to be orphaned, and I am far too young to be a widow. You were too young to lose your life simply for being a journalist.
Never forgive,
Yours."


Tribute / endorsement :

Ain Media:
Described him as a "brilliant photojournalist and filmmaker." Posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Roshdi and Yaser are life: they gave voice to the people of Gaza, to their smiles, to the stories locked in fear, to hopes cherished secretly from the oppression of the Israeli occupation.”

Wissam Nassar (International Photojournalist):
Mourned Roshdi on Instagram: “My close friend, Rushdi Sarraj, was killed in Israeli bombardment on his home. He was a talented photojournalist and director creatively telling the stories of Gazans under war and siege. May you rest in peace.”

Hosam Salem (Friend and fellow journalist):
Shared a heartwarming post on Instagram: “My best One was just killed in an Israeli airstrike in #Gaza. May God have mercy on you and accept you. You and Yaser are lucky.”

Radio France Internationale (RFI):
Published a statement recognizing Roshdi’s “important role” with their network.
Their correspondents praised his friendship and legacy, stating: “Those who knew Roshdi Sarraj and worked with him salute an outstanding journalist.”

Forensic Architecture (one year later, on October 22, 2024): "Today marks1 year since our beloved friend and colleague, co-founder of Ain Media Roshdi al-Sarraj was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike on his father's home. We miss you dearly, Roshdi, and still feel your great absence. To commemorate our work together, Forenseic Architecture is dedicating its first solo show in the Gulf to Roshdi. Titled 'Everything is Red and Grey'—referencing one of Roshdi's final messages to us as he described the scenes of destruction around him in Gaza—the exhibition will run from 2 Nov 2024-22 Feb 2025 at Mathaf Modern Museum in Qatar, and will feature a selection of works produced in collaboration with Roshdi and other Ain Media colleagues, as well as recent investigations connecting the massacres and forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948 to the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza"

_________
Sources :
https://mathaf.org.qa/en/calendar/everything-is-red-and-grey/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/23/another-palestinian-journalist-slain-in-an-israeli-airstrike-in-gaza