Key Points
- Journalist Mohammed Alsharaf describes the catastrophic humanitarian conditions and the constant threat of death currently facing residents in the Gaza Strip.
- The interview highlights the extreme risks faced by members of the press, who continue to report despite the lack of safety, even when wearing “PRESS” identification.
- Basic necessities such as food, clean water, and electricity have become nearly non-existent for the civilian population due to the ongoing conflict and blockade.
- Alsharaf issues a powerful plea to the international community to recognize Palestinians as individual human beings with dreams and families, rather than just statistics.
Full Transcript (English)
Host (Jun Hori): Today, we are connecting with Gaza to hear from Palestinian journalist Mohammed Alsharaf about the current situation on the ground. Mohammed, thank you for joining us under such incredibly difficult circumstances. Can you tell us what the situation is like in Gaza right now?
Guest (Mohammed Alsharaf): Thank you for having me and for giving a voice to the people here. To be honest, the situation in Gaza is beyond what any words can describe. It is a total catastrophe. There is no safe place in the entire Gaza Strip. Whether you are in the north or the south, in a residential house, a school, or even a hospital, you are at risk of being targeted at any moment. We are living through a level of destruction and suffering that is unprecedented.
Host: As a journalist, you are tasked with reporting this reality to the world. How difficult is it to perform your professional duties while also trying to survive as a resident?
Guest: It is a daily struggle for survival. We wear our “PRESS” vests and helmets, but in this war, those symbols do not provide any protection. In fact, many of my colleagues have been targeted and killed while doing their jobs. We are trying to document the truth while our own families are in constant danger. Every time I leave to report, I don’t know if I will return or if my family will still be alive when I get back. Beyond the physical danger, we are struggling with a total lack of electricity, very limited internet access, and a severe shortage of food and clean water.
Host: We see the rising numbers of casualties every day in the news, but behind those numbers are individual lives. What is the most important thing you want the international community to understand about the people of Gaza?
Guest: That is exactly the point I want to emphasize. We are not just numbers. We are not just statistics on a news ticker. We are human beings who love life, who have dreams, and who have children we want to see grow up in peace. Every person killed had a story, a family, and a future that was stolen from them. We want the world to see our humanity. We are asking for the international community to step in and stop this aggression so we can live in dignity. We want the same rights and safety that anyone else in the world expects.
Host: Mohammed, thank you for your courage and for sharing this report with us. Please stay as safe as possible. We will continue to share your voice and the reality of what is happening in Gaza.
Guest: Thank you. Please, do not forget us. Keep talking about Gaza.
