In recent weeks, they have also seen Israeli brutality extending into various parts of the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and along the Lebanese and Syrian borders.

This has been carried out with the full technological, intelligence, economic, and moral support of several major powers, led by the United States, without distinction between civilians, children, women, the elderly, or the disabled, and with disregard for service infrastructure, educational and health facilities, shelters, water and electricity stations, and other essentials of life. 

Amid this devastation, one cannot overlook the pivotal role played by Arab female correspondents in covering these events from the ground, or as it is often referred to, from the "theatre of events," broadcasting live with a level of professionalism that aligns with the principles of crisis management in media.

Their composure, reflected in the visual narrative they present, has shattered the male-dominated nature of certain professions and dismantled the stereotypical image of the Arab female journalist. 

This is not merely a personal impression but a conclusion drawn from a scientific analytical study conducted by several female researchers in the field of media. The study analyzed the television coverage of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip from the morning of 7 October 2023, over a month, focusing on five Arabic-language news channels: Al-Qahera News, Al-Arabiya, France 24, Al-Jazeera, and Al-Hurra. The study highlighted several key aspects:

• The active participation of Palestinian female correspondents in the coverage, with some even becoming martyrs while on duty, targeted by occupation forces.
• The presence of multiple female correspondents across different channels, reporting from various locations and contributing multiple reports throughout the day.
• Their linguistic proficiency in commentary and event description, incorporating various media formats—such as eyewitness accounts and interviews—into their reports, and skillfully employing shot sizes, data accuracy, and reliance on statistics, as well as using terminology that reflects the channel’s stance on the events, such as “martyrs,” “Zionist occupation forces,” and “resistance.”
• Most of these correspondents are academically and professionally qualified, with previous experience covering crises, disasters, and wars, which was evident in their composed performance and improvisational skills.

Indeed, the performance of Arab female correspondents in covering the events in Gaza has set a new standard for professionalism, nationalism, and media responsibility, deserving of recognition and appreciation. It underscores that words and images are powerful weapons in resisting the occupier and reclaiming rights.

* The writer is Professor of Media, Cairo University