Israel launched the “Iron Swords” offensive on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, in response to the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation launched by the Palestinian resistance at dawn that same day, spearheaded by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). The occupation used the deadliest weapons of war and various methods to inflict harm on civilians, including displacement, starvation, and terrorization, committing appalling massacres throughout the Strip. Amidst this aggression, prominent figures emerged, taking it upon themselves to expose the crimes of the occupation and convey the message of the victims to the world. These individuals varied from government and medical officials to media and military personnel, united in their endeavor to be the “Voice of Gaza” that Israel seeks to silence. Among these notable figures and personalities are:
**Abu Ubaida, the Spokesman of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades**
Abu Ubaida, the media spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, is a “masked” figure of unknown identity. He began his role following the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, where he appeared in an old film titled “Al-Qassam Brigades hosted by the rifle,” filmed by Al Jazeera channel in that year, and its broadcast was delayed until 2014.
Abu Ubaida rose to fame in 2006 when he announced the capture of Israeli soldier “Gilad Shalit” by the Palestinian resistance. Abu Ubaida has become an icon relied upon by the Qassam Brigades to effectively and competently deliver their messages, a significant asset for Hamas in executing its plans and goals.
Observers can notice that his recorded messages are of high professionalism and expertise. The Qassam Brigades ensure their spokesperson is highly credible by sharing reliable information, avoiding exaggeration, and publishing photos and videos that validate their messages. Israel feels the significant strength that Abu Ubaida’s figure provides to Hamas, and thus attempts to destroy it began in 2014, when it claimed to have revealed his identity as “Hudaifa Khalout”.
With Abu Ubaida’s reappearance in the “Al-Aqsa Flood” battle through his powerful messages, Israel reiterated its narrative claiming to have uncovered his identity, and that it had bombed his home in Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Strip.
**Ashraf al-Qidra, the Spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health**
With notable courage and disregarding the Israeli tanks surrounding Al-Shifa Hospital and bombarding its buildings, Ashraf al-Qidra, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health, continued to loudly report the daily statistics of Palestinian human losses due to the aggression. After moving his duties to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, al-Qidra continued his mission with the same zeal. Born in 1973 in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, married with four children, al-Qidra earned a Bachelor’s in physical therapy and rehabilitation from Karachi University in Pakistan and a Master’s in administration and policies from the Jerusalem University. Al-Qidra not only served in government roles but also presides over the board of directors of the Polytechnic Institute of the Future, among other roles.
**Munir al-Bursh, the General Director of the Ministry of Health in Gaza**
Prominent during the war was Munir al-Bursh, the General Director of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, who, despite the severe dangers, continued to fight the occupation and reveal its crimes, especially during the siege of Al-Shifa Hospital. After being forced out of Al-Shifa, al-Bursh continued his “medical” struggle, heading to hospitals in northern Gaza, notably the Indonesian Hospital and Kamal Adwan Hospital, and remained as Gaza’s voice warning of the severe impact of hospitals going out of service on the wounded and residents.
Born in 1971 in Jabalia town, north of the Gaza Strip, al-Bursh received his Bachelor’s in Pharmacy from Iasi University Romania and his Master’s in health management and policy from the Jerusalem University. Before becoming the General Director of the Ministry of Health, al-Bursh served in various government positions and is known for his wide community and charitable activities, heading several organizations and initiatives.
Mohammad Abu Salimya: Unyielding in the Face of Adversity
Despite Israel’s intense psychological warfare against Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, claiming it housed a command center for the Hamas movement, its General Director, Mohammad Abu Salimya, remained undaunted, refusing to comply with the Israeli military’s orders to evacuate the hospital.
Until his arrest on November 23, 2023, Abu Salimya stood firm against the siege and bombardment of the building, amidst the accumulating bodies in the hospital courtyard. He continued to convey to the world, through phone interviews with the media, the tragic reality experienced by the wounded, the sick, and the trapped displaced people in “Al-Shifa.”
Born in 1973 in the Beach refugee camp west of Gaza City, Abu Salimya is married with four children. He studied medicine in Kyiv, Ukraine, at the Bogomolets National Medical University, specializing in pediatrics, before returning to the Gaza Strip in 1998. He received the Palestinian board certification in pediatrics in 2013.
In 2000, Abu Salimya began working as a doctor at the European Hospital in Gaza. He became the medical director of the Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital in 2007, took over the management of the Rantisi Children’s Hospital in 2015, and became the director of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in 2019.
Abu Salimya has been instrumental in the development and advancement of Al-Shifa Hospital, enhancing its capacity to handle major surgical operations with high skill levels, procedures that previously required transfer outside the Gaza Strip.
**Salama Marouf, Head of the Government Media Office**
Through his daily appearances, Salama Marouf emerged as the “Voice of Gaza,” documenting all crimes and massacres committed by Israel, in addition to the repercussions of the aggression in all areas. Marouf attempted to draw the world’s attention to the occupation’s crimes by carrying the body of a martyred child during one of his daily press conferences, questioning the international community about the child’s right to life.
Before the occupation forces’ raid on Al-Shifa Hospital and their encroachment on Gaza City, which prevented him from continuing his work, Marouf had been conveying his message.
Born in Cairo in 1977, Marouf returned to Gaza with his family in 1994, earned a Bachelor’s in Media from the Islamic University in 1999, and a Master’s degree from the same university in 2016. He has held various positions, published media research, and authored a book.
**Ismail al-Thawabta, Director-General of the Government Media Office**
When Salama Marouf’s voice disappeared following the ground incursion into Gaza City, Ismail al-Thawabta, the Director-General of the office, began operating from the central province. Al-Thawabta documents all the occupation’s crimes, both human and material, and conveys them through a daily message to the world. Born in al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip in 1979, married with five children, al-Thawabta received a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Islamic University of Gaza in 2001 and a Master’s degree in 2020. With a background in various media roles, al-Thawabta heads the charitable youth initiative and has published works, including a printed book titled “Cracked Walls.”
**Wael al-Dahdouh**
Wael al-Dahdouh, born in 1970, in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, has been a correspondent for Al Jazeera since 2004. Through his role, he became one of the most crucial journalists conveying the reality of the atrocious crimes committed during the current war.
Al-Dahdouh’s own share of Israeli crimes includes the targeting of his family, leading to the martyrdom of 14 family members on October 25, 2023, including his wife and two of his children, following an Israeli airstrike on a shelter in al-Nuseirat refugee camp. Despite his immense loss, al-Dahdouh continued his coverage, his voice persisting to report on Al Jazeera the realities of Israeli crimes against civilians in Gaza.
He was also injured in an Israeli bombardment on December 15, 2023, which resulted in the martyrdom of his colleague, Al Jazeera photographer Samer Abu Aisha. Al-Dahdouh graduated with a Bachelor’s in Media and Journalism from the Islamic University of Gaza and a Master’s in Regional Studies from Al-Quds University.
He has worked as a correspondent for various media outlets and was chosen as the journalistic personality of 2023 by “Knack” magazine.
**Anas al-Sharif**
When the occupation forces forcibly obscured media coverage in the northern province of the Gaza Strip, journalist Anas al-Sharif took it upon himself to expose Israel’s crimes and massacres against the residents, regardless of the great danger to himself and his family. The occupation’s annoyance with al-Sharif’s coverage was evident, expressed through a threatening phone call demanding him to leave the area.
However, he refused. In what seems like retaliation for his journalistic role, the occupation bombed his house on December 11, 2023, leading to his father’s martyrdom. Yet, al-Sharif continued his media mission.
Born in Jabalia refugee camp in December 1996, married with a daughter, al-Sharif graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza and started his journalistic career in 2014, covering events in Gaza City and its north. He provided coverage for various news sites and agencies and began working for Al Jazeera during the 2023 aggression to cover events in northern Gaza.
**Ismail al-Ghoul**
Like Anas al-Sharif, journalist Ismail al-Ghoul filled a significant gap caused by the occupation forces in Gaza City, nearly emptied of local and international media. Amidst the dangers, while people were seeking ways to escape the occupation’s shells, al-Ghoul searched for information among “death’s jaws,” documenting events with his modest means and sending them to Al Jazeera for global broadcast.
Born in 1997 in al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza City, al-Ghoul earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Islamic University and began his career in the written press with local newspapers, then shifted to television through cooperation with numerous media production companies in Gaza.
With the outbreak of “Al-Aqsa Flood,” he began collaborating with Al Jazeera, initially via phone contributions and later by preparing television reports.
