“Now I Can Take Off This Helmet and Steel Vest”: Gaza Journalists Rejoice After Ceasefire Agreement
GAZA: Following the long-awaited **Gaza ceasefire agreement**, journalists in the war-torn region expressed profound relief and joy after enduring two years of relentless violence and danger.
Since **October 7, 2023**, Israel’s aggression on Gaza has claimed **thousands of innocent civilian lives**, including **many courageous journalists** who risked — and often sacrificed — their lives to show the world the reality on the ground.
With the success of peace talks, Gazans, including media workers, celebrated the fragile yet hopeful moment of calm. A viral **video posted by Palestinian photographer Anas Eyad** captured an emotional scene: journalist **Saleh Al-Ja’frawi** and colleagues, still wearing press vests, walking through the dark, war-scarred streets of northern Gaza during a blackout, announcing the ceasefire news to residents.
In the clip, the journalists can be heard proclaiming, *“The ceasefire agreement has been reached!”* — aiming to immediately inform citizens that **the bombings had finally stopped**.
An **Al Jazeera correspondent** was heard saying, *“Now I can take off this helmet and steel vest I’ve worn for two years to survive the bombings. I no longer have to worry about dying. I want to share this historic moment with you.”*
The video has since gone viral on social media, hailed globally as a **symbol of courage, resilience, and duty in journalism**.
Meanwhile, **Al Jazeera** released a report describing the Gaza war as the **deadliest conflict for journalists in over 150 years**. The report noted that the **number of journalists killed in Gaza surpasses those killed in eight major wars** over the past century and a half — including the **U.S. Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan**.
According to **Brown University research**, **254 journalists have been martyred in Gaza**, averaging **one journalist killed every three days** — marking this as **the most lethal period for media professionals in modern history**.
Despite unimaginable losses, Gaza’s journalists continue to serve as **the eyes and ears of the world**, documenting the human cost of conflict and standing as a testament to **truth in the face of tyranny**.
