The ghosts of Gaza follow me everywhere' Photographer who opened the world's eyes reveals experiences of war

Motaz Azaiza should have been dead by now. Death stalked the streets of Deir al-Balah, where he M grew up, long before Israel's assault on Gaza. There have been close encounters before: he was shot by an Israeli sniper as a teenager.

- Thaslima Begum

When Israel launched its offensive after the 7 October attacks by Hamas, Azaiza picked up his camera and headed to the frontlines. Despite his clearly marked press vest, in December he narrowly avoided being hit again by Israeli forces. Israel denies targeting journalists but, according to UN experts, more than 122 journalists and media professionals have been killed in Gaza so far, making it the deadliest conflict for the press in recent history.

"Israel won't allow international journalists into Gaza and is killing those reporting from within," says Azaiza. "It is a deliberate attempt to obscure the Palestinian narrative and erase the truth."

Azaiza has spent 107 days documenting the conflict, during which 15 members of his own family, including his aunt and cousins, were killed.

"I rushed to report on a nearby bombing, only to realise my aunt's house had been targeted," he says.

"I found their dismembered bodies strewn on the streets and spent a day collecting their body parts.

The force of the explosion had obliterated others, leaving no trace of their remains - whole human beings reduced to nothingness."

He has lost count of the number of friends he has lost. In the days leading up to his evacuation, Israeli drones hovered above Azaiza's home and he began receiving death threats. The bombs got closer and louder. "I would lie awake in my bed thinking: 'Any moment now, I will be next,"" he says.