
On January 22, 2024, a tragic event took place in Khan Younis, Gaza, and captured in video footage by British news channel ITV News. Palestinian civilian Ramzi Abu Sahloul, in a group of men holding a white flag — the universal symbol of peace and surrender — was fatally shot by Israeli forces. This incident, documented on camera, has since been recognized as a severe violation of international law and a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ramzi Abu Sahloul was my friend who took my family, among many others, into his home when we needed shelter. He was a 51-year-old clothing merchant from the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Described by those who knew him as a devoted family man, he carried the responsibilities of father, husband, and brother.
Before his death, Ramzi had been forced to flee his home with his family by invading Israeli forces. Despite the risks, he attempted to return to his brother, whose home was in the same large, multi-family dwelling as his own. Ramzi wanted to rescue his brother along with his elderly mother, who were trapped there with more than 50 displaced civilians.
A symbol of safety turned witness to a crime
As Ramzi and four other men approached the shelter, they raised their hands and carried the white flag to signal their peaceful intentions. According to ITV News correspondent John Irvine, their goal was to communicate to the Israeli forces that they were unarmed civilians. However, the situation quickly escalated.
Footage from ITV News shows Ramzi and the group walking cautiously with their hands raised, carrying identification papers and the white flag. In his final interview, with a cameraman from ITV news conducted just moments before his death, Ramzi explained his mission: “The Israelis came to us and told us to evacuate, but they didn’t let my brother out. We want to go and get them, god willing.”
As the group advanced, gunfire erupted. Ramzi was struck by a bullet and fell to the ground. The footage captured the exact moment when a man, driven by love for his family, was transformed into a martyr, gunned down in cold blood.
Despite the group’s desperate attempts to carry Ramzi to safety, Israeli forces continued to fire, disregarding the white flag and the civilians’ raised hands. Heart-wrenching images show the men rushing to lift Ramzi while bullets flew around them. When they finally reached a displacement center at Al-Aqsa University, it was too late. Ramzi succumbed to his injuries.
Denial by Israeli forces
When the video of Ramzi’s killing aired on ITV News, it drew international attention. The Israeli army, however, quickly dismissed the footage as fabricated, accusing the British channel of promoting propaganda for Hamas. This denial came despite clear visual evidence of the event, which ITV provided in a subsequent analysis.
Al-Araby TV conducted its own investigation, verifying the video’s authenticity. The team identified the exact location of the incident by matching landmarks visible in the footage with those at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. They also confirmed Ramzi’s identity through social media posts, including one from his son mourning his father’s death and sharing a photo that matched the man in the video.
In that investigation, Ahmed Hijazi, the Palestinian journalist who filmed the incident, provided crucial testimony. He described the moments leading up to the shooting, recounting how Ramzi and his companions approached the shelter cautiously, with arms raised and waving the white flag to avoid being mistaken for combatants.
“They came in peace,” Hijazi stated. “But the soldiers opened fire without hesitation. They killed him in front of my camera.” His footage became a powerful piece of evidence, shedding light on a war crime committed in broad daylight.
The aftermath
The loss of Ramzi Abu Sahloul left a deep impact on his family and community. His wife, overwhelmed with grief, was seen in the footage crying out, “There is no god but Allah,” as she came up to the dead body of her husband and the father of her children.
His son, Shehada, took to social media to share his sorrow, posting a tribute to his father along with a photograph. “May Allah have mercy on you Oh my heart lover, God give us patience in our hearts, God forgive you and accept you as a martyr Lucky you dad. I swear to God, I envy you. We buried you with our hands and now I can’t believe it, I swear to God, I can’t believe it.”
Shehada continued, “You received in your house at least 270 displaced people and God chose you from among them as a martyr. God bless you Sindi, may God have mercy on you, a martyr in heaven hopefully.”

We are not numbers
The killing of Ramzi Abu Sahloul is not an isolated incident. It is part of a larger pattern of violence against civilians in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 190 civilians were killed and over 340 others injured in the Gaza Strip on the day, January 22, that Israel took Ramzi’s life.
Humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have expressed grave concerns about the safety of civilians trapped in conflict zones. The organization called for the protection of hospitals and displacement centers, urging both sides to adhere to international humanitarian law.
Ramzi’s story, though tragic, is a powerful reminder that every life lost in Gaza represents a unique human being with dreams, responsibilities, and loved ones. The phrase “we are not numbers” resonates deeply in this context. Ramzi was not just a statistic; he was a man who stood up for his family and paid the ultimate price.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, stories like Ramzi’s underscore the urgent need for accountability and the protection of civilians in warzones. The white flag, once a symbol of safety, must regain its meaning in the eyes of the world. Peace should be more than just a word — it must be a reality for all.
The tragic situation that befell Ramzi also highlights the importance of sustained efforts toward peace in the region. The international community must be more active in intervening to ensure respect for human rights and international law in such conflicts. Independent investigations, such as those conducted by Al-Araby TV and Doctors Without Borders, underscore the vital role of media and humanitarian organizations in revealing the truth and promoting accountability.
Editor’s note: Read Tareq Zaqout’s account of his family’s experience during this incident, published at Electronic Intifada.