Watan-The Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza conveyed poignant farewell messages before leaving the Gaza Strip after covering the war on Gaza for 107 days.
In a video, Azaiza appeared, saying, “This is the last time you’ll see me wearing this heavy vest; I’ve decided to leave today.” With tears, he added, “I’m sorry, but soon there will be a return, and together we will help rebuild Gaza again.”
Several friends and colleagues of Azaiza were seen removing his journalistic vest, while he emotionally expressed, “I will miss these people; I’ve spent all the days with them, even if they, at times, kicked me out of the office. I will miss you, my comrades.”
There was a wide response to Motaz Azaiza’s video
There was a wide response to Motaz Azaiza ‘s video. Journalist Carmen Jokhadar stated, “Some feel sadness when any journalist leaves Gaza, the latest being Motaz Azaiza. As for me, I am reassured for their safety. The killing machine of journalists has been ongoing for over a hundred days, and no one can stop or hold it accountable.”
البعض يشعر بالحزن حين يغادر أي صحافي غزة وآخرهم معتز عزايزة أما أنا فأطمئن لنجاتهم. آلة قتل الصحافيين مستمرة منذ أكثر من مئة يوم ولا أحد قادر على وقفها أو محاسبتها @azaizamotaz9
— Carmen Joukhadar كارمن جوخَدار (@CarmenJoukhadar) January 23, 2024
Journalist Nelly Saneh commented, “Journalist Motaz Azaiza shared a video stating that he intends to leave Gaza, then he removed his protective vest, announcing the end of his journalistic mission. Every person has a limit, and he has contributed a lot to the global public opinion. He resisted in his own way and will continue the struggle from outside. What he witnessed must be documented, and he will be a witness in the International Court!”
نشر الصحافي #معتز_عزايزة مقطع فيديو قال “انه يعتزم مغادرة غزة، ثم خلع سترته الواقية معلنا إنهاء مهمته الصحافية”!
فلكل انسان طاقة للاحتمال وهو قدم الكثير للرأي العام العالمي، هو قاوم بطريقته، وسيكمل مسيرة النضال من الخارج فما رآه يجب ان يوثّق وسيكون شاهد عيان في المحكمة الدولية! pic.twitter.com/uFMhFt5xX7
— Nelly Saneh (@saneh_nelly) January 23, 2024
Activist Mohammed Awad said, “Motaz Azaiza is part of the story, not the whole story. Keep your compass on Gaza and its people.”
معتز عزايزة هو جزء من القصة وليس القصة كلها … أجعلوا بوصلتكم على غزة وأهلها .
— Mohammed _awed (@Mohammed_awed12) January 23, 2024
Motaz Azaiza received widespread threats
Motaz Azaiza faced widespread threats, having documented scenes of the Israeli military’s offensive on the Gaza Strip by sharing videos in both Arabic and English since the beginning of the war. Azeeza had previously revealed that he received numerous threats and offers from Israel to stop portraying the war’s image in Gaza, the suffering of its residents, and leave Gaza in exchange for a comfortable life.