Saleh Al-Jafarawi, widely known by his online moniker Mr FAFO, was one of the most recognizable social media figures to emerge from Gaza during the two-year conflict with Israel. Through his consistent on-ground reporting, he amassed millions of followers who looked to him for firsthand updates from one of the world’s most volatile war zones. During the height of the fighting, he often staged his own death multiple times, a move that both captivated and confused audiences. Despite surviving the relentless bombings and hardships of the war, he met a tragic end only days after a ceasefire was declared, shocking his followers who had come to see him as nearly indestructible.
The ceasefire, mediated by then-US President Donald Trump, was formally signed on October 14, bringing a temporary halt to the devastating conflict that began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas militants carried out a deadly assault inside Israel. In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks, footage surfaced showing Al-Jafarawi celebrating the Hamas operation, but his tone shifted dramatically days later as Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes devastated Gaza. Over time, he transformed into a symbol of resilience, becoming a central figure in portraying the everyday struggles and tragedies of Gazans caught in the crossfire.
Throughout the war, Al-Jafarawi’s image became synonymous with both survival and spectacle. Several fake reports of his death circulated online, each time evoking waves of global sympathy until he reappeared alive. This cycle of supposed death and re-emergence turned him into a complex icon—part journalist, part performer, and part survivor. Yet, after the guns fell silent, his actual death proved more tragic than any of the fabricated ones that had come before.
According to reports circulating online, Al-Jafarawi was not killed by Israeli forces but by fellow Palestinians. Social media users pointed out this grim irony. One post by internet personality Dr Maalouf stated that “Mr FAFO pretended to be killed by Israel at least 30 times during the war, only to be killed by fellow Gazans after the war ended.” Another comment by influencer Eli David summed up the tragedy: “Mr FAFO survived two years of nonstop Israeli genocide but didn’t survive a single day of peace.”
The period following the ceasefire quickly descended into internal chaos within Gaza. As Israel withdrew its operations, Hamas sought to tighten its grip on power, clashing with rival factions such as the Doghmush clan. In the ensuing violence, multiple killings were reported, including semi-public executions. Reports by Shafaq News and Ynet suggest that at least fifty individuals connected to rival groups were killed as Hamas asserted dominance over the fragmented region. Amid this turmoil, Al-Jafarawi was allegedly caught in one of these clashes and fatally shot. Arab News reported that “multiple sources” claimed he was killed during fighting between Hamas militants and Doghmush clan fighters, though official confirmation remains pending.
Online videos later surfaced showing his lifeless body clad in a press vest, the same attire that had once symbolized his neutrality and commitment to documenting reality. Despite his claims that he had no association with any militant faction, speculation quickly emerged regarding the motives behind his killing. Some reports accused him of misappropriating international funds, suggesting that Hamas executed him to seize over $10 million he had raised through online donations.
The Gaza Interior Ministry has since opened an investigation into his death, though few details have been released. Regardless of the eventual findings, Al-Jafarawi’s demise highlights the fragile state of Gaza even in the wake of an official ceasefire. With Hamas seeking to consolidate control and rival militias challenging its authority, the region remains gripped by lawlessness and fear. In the end, Mr FAFO’s story—once a narrative of endurance and digital influence—ended as a tragic reflection of Gaza’s continuing instability, where peace remains as elusive as justice.
