The IUS Balkan Studies Center (BSC) hosted “A Witness from Gaza,” a discussion bringing together perspectives from medicine, journalism, and human rights to reflect on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the importance of keeping the experiences of its people in the public eye.
The event featured Dr. Jamal Salha, author of The Survivor; Hatem Rawagh, journalist and photographer; Dr. Mohammad Elhalabi, who participated in two medical missions to Gaza; Ilday Husović, human rights activist; and Muhemmed Huzeyfe Küçükaytekin, Senior Assistant at the IUS Faculty of Law (FLW) and a human rights activist. Drawing on their professional experiences and contributions, the speakers offered diverse perspectives on the human consequences of the situation in Gaza, the challenges of documenting events on the ground, and the continuing importance of humanitarian engagement.
A central element of the program was a live connection with a doctor and a journalist, allowing participants to hear first-hand perspectives on the current situation in Gaza. Their contributions highlighted the difficulties medical professionals and journalists face under exceptionally challenging conditions. The discussion also addressed the grave risks journalists face when reporting from conflict zones, including deliberate targeting of media professionals, and the importance of protecting journalists and safeguarding the public's access to reliable information.
The program paid tribute to Saleh Aljaafarawi, reflecting on his life, work, and personal legacy as a journalist who documented the experiences of people in Gaza. The discussion explored journalists' role in bearing witness, preserving individual stories, and bringing realities that might otherwise remain distant to international audiences.
The event attracted strong attendance and considerable interest from participants, who followed the discussion with evident engagement. The live contributions and personal perspectives gave the audience an opportunity to reconnect with the human dimension of events in Gaza and reflect on the importance of sustained public attention. The program also served as a reminder that behind news reports and statistics are individuals, families, and communities whose experiences deserve to be heard and remembered.
Through “A Witness from Gaza,” BSC reaffirmed its commitment to fostering informed dialogue on issues of international significance and creating opportunities for the university community to engage with diverse professional perspectives. The event underscored the importance of keeping Gaza in public consciousness and approaching its people's experiences with dignity, empathy, and a commitment to understanding.
By bringing together voices from medicine, journalism, and human rights, the event offered an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities of witnessing, documenting, and remembering in times of conflict.
