Medo Halimy, a 19-year-old Palestinian TikTok star, lost his life in a devastating Israeli airstrike in Gaza. His friend and collaborator, Talal Murad, was also injured in the attack.
The incident occurred on Monday when Halimy and Murad were meeting at an internet cafe – a tent with Wi-Fi – to catch up after being apart for some time.
A Star of Hope and Strength
Despite the dire circumstances, Halimy's videos had captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. He documented his daily life in Gaza, showcasing the mundane absurdities and resilience of its residents.
Halimy's friend, Helmi Hirez, described him as a beacon of hope and strength. "He represented a message – a message that we're not just victims but we're also human beings who deserve to live," Hirez said.
A Life Cut Short
Halimy was pronounced dead by doctors hours after the airstrike. His friend, Talal Murad, is still recovering from his shrapnel wounds and reeling from the loss of their friend.
The Israeli military stated that they were not aware of the strike that killed Halimy. Tributes to him continued pouring in from friends around the world, including those who knew him through an exchange program sponsored by the State Department.
A Gazan Correspondent
Halimy had launched his own TikTok account after taking refuge with his family in a southern coastal area designated as a humanitarian safe zone. He documented his daily life, revealing a maddening tedium that's largely left out of news coverage about the war.
His videos showcased the struggles and resilience of Gaza's residents, including waiting in long lines for drinking water, scavenging ingredients to make baba ganoush, and becoming very bored.
A Legacy of Resistance
Halimy's content had gone viral on TikTok, with some videos amassing over 2 million views. He channeled his grief and anxiety into deadpan humor, even when recounting tragedies or fretting over the bombardment.
In his last video, Halimy filmed himself scribbling in a notebook, hinting at a new secret project that would have been revealed if he had lived to see its completion.