Meet Lama Jamous, the Youngest Palestinian Journalist in Gaza – Muslim Girl
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A young girl in a too-large press vest stands in front of a phone camera, delivering news and commentary on the chaos unfolding around her. Nine-year-old Lama Jamous is Gaza’s youngest journalist and has been sharing her story with over 540 thousand followers on Instagram.
Over 100 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces since the aggression began, with evidence of targeted killings and deliberately blocking medical care to wounded journalists. Prominent Gazan voices such as Motaz Azaiza and Plestia Alaqad have been targeted by the IDF, and many more established journalists, photographers, camera operators have been killed by snipers or by Israeli airstrikes.
Lama is just nine years old but has a passion for journalism. Her posts about meeting famous Palestinian journalists Wael Al-Dahdouh, who gained international recognition after continuing to report on Gaza after losing his entire family in an airstrike, and Motaz Azaiza, who has over 17 million followers on Instagram, show how meaningful this work is to Lama.
After opening her account earlier this year, soon happy birthday photos give way to short-form videos detailing Israeli aggression, and the forced displacement of Palestinians from North to South Gaza. At 9, she offers a child’s perspective on the horrific conditions around her. Lama shows the mass movement of Palestinians from their homes in an attempt to avoid airstrikes, as well as her own poor living conditions.
In many cases, the press vest makes journalists in Gaza a target, yet Lama and other brave Palestinians do it every day to share the truth on the ground.
In a place recently called “the most dangerous place in the world to be a child” by the United Nations, and one where journalists are regularly targeted by the IDF, Lama’s work is incredibly brave and inspiring.
In many cases, the press vest makes journalists in Gaza a target, yet Lama and other brave Palestinians do it every day to share the truth on the ground. Their bravery and courage should inspire us all to speak truth to power. May we see a free Palestine in our lifetime, Ameen.
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