Shatha Hanaysha

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Shatha Hanaysha
شذى حنايشة
Born1993 (age 31–32)
Qabatiya, Jenin, occupied West Bank
Nationality Palestinian
Citizenship Palestine
Alma materBachelor's degree in Media, Arab American University; Master's in Media Studies, American University of Beirut (in progress)
Occupation(s) Journalist, Photojournalist
Years active2015–present
Known forReporting on Israeli military raids in Jenin, eyewitness to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

Shatha Hanaysha (Arabic : شذى حنايشة; b. 1993) is a Palestinian journalist and photojournalist from Qabatiya, near Jenin in the occupied West Bank. She is known for her ongoing coverage of Israeli military attacks in Palestine, particularly in Jenin, and for being an eyewitness to the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022. Hanaysha's report on documenting the daily lives of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, combining on-the-ground reporting with photography to portray both the resilience and challenges faced by her community.

Contents

Early life and education

Shatha Hanaysha was born in 1993 in Qabatiya, a town south of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Growing up in a region marked by frequent Israeli military incursions, she was inspired to pursue journalism by late journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, whose reporting on Qatari news organization Al Jazeera Media Network became a fixture in Palestinian households. Hanaysha earned a bachelor's degree in Media in Palestine and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Media Studies at the private university in Lebanon American University of Beirut. [1] [2]

Career

Hanaysha began her journalism career in 2015, working as a field reporter and photojournalist for various news outlets, including Middle East Eye, The New Arab, Ultra Palestine   [ Wikidata ], Truthout and Mondoweiss. Her reporting primarily was occupied West Bank, covering Israeli military raids, Palestinian resistance, and the socio-political dynamics of life under occupation. She has documented significant events, including large-scale Israeli operations in Jenin, such as raids and demolitions in the Jenin refugee camp.

In addition to her written journalism, Hanaysha is an accomplished photojournalist. Her photography, often showcased in exhibitions, captures the everyday lives of Palestinians in the West Bank and the role of women in Palestinian society and the impact of occupation. In April 2024, she presented her work at an exhibition in Beirut in the resilience and fragility of life in Jenin. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Hanaysha has also contributed to discussions on the role of journalism in Palestinian resistance. In September 2023, she spoke at an event hosted by Al-Awda NY in New York City, titled Reporting Under Fire: The Threat to Palestinian Journalism, where she discussed the dangers faced by Palestinian journalists. [7] [8]

Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

On 11 May 2022, Hanaysha was reporting alongside Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the Jenin refugee camp when Israel Defense Forces opened fire on their group, despite the journalists wearing clearly marked "PRESS" vests. Abu Akleh was fatally shot in the head, and Hanaysha witnessed the incident, later recounting the harrowing experience in interviews and articles. She described being unable to reach Abu Akleh due to continued gunfire, which also targeted her as she sought cover. Another journalist, Ali al-Samoudi, was injured in the same incident. Hanaysha alleged that Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching Abu Akleh, delaying rescue efforts. [9] [10] [11]

The killing of Abu Akleh caused international outrage, and Hanaysha's eyewitness account became a critical part of the incident. She has since vowed to honor Abu Akleh's legacy by continuing her work as a journalist, despite the risks. In a 2023 interview with the Committee to Protect Journalists, Hanaysha spoke of Abu Akleh's profound influence, noting that she was a role model for her and many other Palestinian women in journalism. [10] [12]

Personal life

Hanaysha has faced significant risks in her work, including being targeted by Israeli forces during raids. She has cited Shireen Abu Akleh as a major influence and stated how Abu Akleh's bravery and professionalism inspired her career choice. She often described human cost of Israeli military assault, including stories of Palestinian prisoners, families, and communities. Her photography including Jenin, Unscorched Earth has documenting Palestinian determination. [13] [10]

Other works

Haniyesha has gained recognition from both Palestinian and international audiences for her reporting under dangerous conditions. She attended events Palestine Writes in 2023 and U.S. speaking tour, including stops in New York and Anaheim. [1] [7] [14]

Several times she faced under the threat of violence, censorship, and restrictions imposed by the Israeli.

Since November 2023 she is active contributor of American news website Mondoweiss . [15]

References

  1. 1 2 "Shatha Hanaysha – Palestine Writes".
  2. ↑ "Inspired by Shireen Abu Akleh, journalist Shatha Hanaysha was an eyewitness to her killing". 13 May 2022.
  3. ↑ https://ps.linkedin.com/in/shatha-hanaysha
  4. ↑ "Shatha Hanaysha | The New Arab". www.newarab.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Palestinian journalist showcases fragility, steadfastness of life under occupation". L'Orient Today. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Jenin, Unscorched Earth by Shatha Hanaysha". Dar El Nimer. 15 April 2024. Archived from the original on 5 November 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Video: Shatha Hanaysha in New York City – Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition". al-awdapalestine.org. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Sept. 26, NYC: Reporting Under Fire – The Threat to Palestinian Journalism with Shatha Hanaysha – Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition". al-awdapalestine.org. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Muck Rack | For journalists and public relations". muckrack.com. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Staff, CPJ Middle East and North Africa (13 May 2022). "Inspired by Shireen Abu Akleh, journalist Shatha Hanaysha was an eyewitness to her killing". Committee to Protect Journalists. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  11. ↑ "'I was standing next to Shireen': Eyewitness account of killing of Al Jazeera journalist". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  12. ↑ "Journalist witness to Shireen Abu Akleh's murder vows to 'honor' her legacy". L'Orient Today. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Jenin, Unscorched Earth by Shatha Hanaysha". Dar El Nimer. 15 April 2024. Archived from the original on 5 November 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  14. ↑ "October 1, Anaheim, CA: Palestinian Journalists Under Fire with Shatha Hanaysha – Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition". al-awdapalestine.org. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Shatha Hamaysha - Mondoweiss". Mondoweiss. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
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