A Journalist's Family
Palestinian journalist Anas Jamal Al-Sharif holds his daughter, Sham, and his son, Salah. Al-Sharif and four other Palestinian journalists were killed Aug. 10, 2025, in a targeted attack by Israel. (Photo Courtesy of Paul Jeffrey/Facebook)
Editor's note; This article is republished with permission from the Facebook post of United Methodist photojournalist Paul Jeffrey, who has reported from direct personal observations on the Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza.
“Make my blood a light that illuminates the path to freedom for my people and family...”
From Paul Jeffrey: Israel has tellingly refused to allow international journalists into Gaza to cover its continuing assault on Palestinians living there. And now, on the eve of renewed attacks, it has stepped up the targeting of brave Palestinian journalists living and working there.
Sunday evening, Israel murdered the indefatigable Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif and four of his Al Jazeera colleagues. They were in a tent for journalists outside a hospital in Gaza City. Anas never hid; the Israeli military always knew where he was. Killing him now indicates Netanyahu wants a media blackout for the imminent wave of mass killing.
The following is Anas' will and final message.
From Anas Jamal Al-Sharif:
If my words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.
First, peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
God knows that I have given all my effort and strength to be a support and a voice for my people since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that God would grant me life to return with my family and loved ones to our original town of Ashkelon (Al-Majdal), occupied land. But God’s will was swifter, and His decree is binding.
I lived pain in all its details, tasted grief and loss repeatedly, yet I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is—without distortion or falsification—hoping God would bear witness against those who remained silent, those who accepted our killing, those who besieged our breaths, and whose hearts were not moved by the shattered bodies of our children and women, nor did they stop the massacre our people have faced for more than a year and a half.
I entrust you with Palestine, the jewel of the Muslim world and the pulse of every free heart in this world.
I entrust you with its people, with its innocent children who were not granted the time to dream or live in safety and peace.
Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart, their remains scattered on the walls.
I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward liberating the land and the people until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland.
I entrust you with my family.
I entrust you with the apple of my eye, my beloved daughter, Sham, whom fate did not allow me to see grow as I dreamed.
I entrust you with my dear son, Salah, whom I wished to support and accompany until he grew strong, carrying my burden and continuing the mission.
I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose prayers were the reason I reached where I did. Her supplications were my fortress, and her light my path.
I pray God to ease her heart and reward her abundantly on my behalf.
I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah Bayan, from whom war separated us for long days and months, but who remained faithful, steadfast like an olive tree trunk that never bends, patient and devout, carrying the trust in my absence with strength and faith.
I urge you to gather around them and be their support after God Almighty.
If I die, I die steadfast on my principles, bearing witness to God that I am satisfied with His decree, believing in meeting Him, and certain that what is with God is better and everlasting.
O God, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path to freedom for my people and family.
Forgive me if I fell short, and pray for me mercy, for I have remained true to the covenant, never changing or betraying it.
Do not forget Gaza …
And do not forget me in your good prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.
Anas Jamal Al-Sharif