Yahya Barzaq, a Palestinian photographer whose lens once celebrated the joy of newborns and the beauty of life in Gaza,was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, marking another tragic loss in a devastating conflict that has claimed over 60,000 lives. Barzaq's funeral was held the following day in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where mourners gathered in grief, devastated by the death of a man who had dedicated his camera not only to art, but to truth. At the time of the attack, Barzaq was inside a local cafe in Deir al-Balah, uploading photographic material when the area was struck. Multiple people were killed instantly, including the photographer. In an exclusive interview with China Media Group last December, Barzaq spoke about why he chose to specialize in newborn photography and his resolve to document the realities of life in Gaza since the latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict began. "I chose to photograph newborns because I love photography, especially in Gaza, where no one specializes in this field. It was an opportunity for me to become the first person in Gaza to focus on newborn photography. I love beautiful things, and the people of Gaza love all things beautiful. They love children and enjoy capturing the beauty of life," said Barzaq. The war,however, changed everything. His camera, once trained on angelic infant smiles, was forced to document rubble, corpses, tears, and blood. One memory haunted him in particular: Mohammad, a child he had photographed, whose parents later printed his portrait onto a T-shirt. Tragically, Mohammad was later killed in an Israeli airstrike -- wearing that very shirt. "For a long time, I didn't pick up my camera because it's a camera that had once captured beautiful scenes and the angelic smiles of children. And now it must document crimes, destruction, and the miserable life we are enduring. But when people see or hear about our life, it's hard for them to believe all of this. I feel it's my duty to convey this truth to the world—that life is extremely difficult for the children and for Gaza. They are suffering from atrocities, massacres, hunger, insecurity, and a lack of medical care," said Barzaq. "Before the war," he added, "I thought my work was a pleasure. Now, photography has become a duty, not just a profession. I feel an obligation to show the world that children in Gaza are suffering a devastating blow." Barzaq's greatest wish was simple: an end to the conflict. But he did not live to see it. Now, his camera is silent. Yet the photos he had taken stand as a testament to lives lost and a question that echoes across the ruins of Gaza: When will this endless suffering finally end? SHOTLIST: Gaza Strip - Sept 25, 2025 1. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble; 2. Various of pedestrians; FILE: Gaza Strip - Dec 11, 2024 3. Yahya Barzaq photographing at seaside; FILE: Gaza Strip - Date Unknown 4. Various of photos of newborns; FILE: Gaza Strip - Dec 12, 2024 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yahya Barzaq, photographer (starting with shot 4/ending with shot 6): "I chose to photograph newborns because I love photography, especially in Gaza, where no one specializes in this field. It was an opportunity for me to become the first person in Gaza to focus on newborn photography. I love beautiful things, and the people of Gaza love all things beautiful. They love children and enjoy capturing the beauty of life."; FILE: Gaza Strip - Date Unknown 6. Various of Barzaq photographing newborns, babies in his studio; FILE: Gaza Strip - Dec 12, 2024 7. Various of Barzaq watching photo of baby Mohammad on his cell photo; FILE: Gaza Strip - Date Unknown 8. Various of photos of Mohammad when he was alive, killed in strike; FILE: Gaza Strip - Dec 11-12, 2024 9. Various of market, Barzaq walking on street with children; 10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yahya Barzaq, photographer (starting with shot 9/ending with shots 11-14): "For a long time, I didn't pick up my camera because it's a camera that had once captured beautiful scenes and the angelic smiles of children. And now it must document crimes, destruction, and the miserable life we are enduring. But when people see or hear about our life, it's hard for them to believe all of this. I feel it's my duty to convey this truth to the world—that life is extremely difficult for the children and for Gaza. They are suffering from atrocities, massacres, hunger, insecurity, and a lack of medical care."; FILE: Gaza Strip - May 29, 2024 11. Children playing with sand; FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - March 12, 2024 12. Girl holding placard reading "We are starving. Do you hear us?"; FILE: Rafah, Gaza Strip - Dec 22, 2023 13. Children begging for porridge; FILE: Gaza Strip - 2024 14. Adult trying to comfort wailing child in hospital; FILE: Gaza Strip - Dec 11-12, 2024 15. Various of Barzaq working on laptop; 16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yahya Barzaq, photographer (starting with shot 15/ending with shots 17-19): "Before the war, I thought my work was a pleasure. Now, photography has become a duty, not just a profession. I feel an obligation to show the world that children in Gaza are suffering a devastating blow."; 17. Various of Barzaq photographing boy; 18. Various of photos of children taken by Barzaq; FILE: Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - June 9, 2024 19. Various of injured children being rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital; FILE: Gaza Strip - May 29, 2024 20. Children playing with sand; FILE: Gaza Strip - February 2024 21. Various of crying children in hospital. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]