Supporting Documentation Efforts in Palestine and the Middle East
متاح أيضاً بالعربية
At WITNESS, we believe documentation is key to securing justice, accountability, and lasting change.
In response to the ongoing atrocities in Palestine and the Middle East, over the past year, our team has focused on developing and providing guidance for those documenting the devastating civilian harm caused by Israeli airstrikes, and supporting groups and activists risking their lives to capture these attacks and their consequences on camera.
Read on to learn more about the tools we’ve developed and how you can support this work.
Documenting Airstrikes & Munitions
Aerial and missile attacks in densely populated areas not only destroy buildings but also wreak havoc on civilian lives. Capturing the full scope of this devastation is essential for holding perpetrators accountable and influencing policies related to the arms trade.
WITNESS is currently developing new guidance focused on documenting the aftermath of airstrikes in conflict zones and the harm they inflict on civilian infrastructure and lives. This resource provides step-by-step tips for those documenting on the frontlines, with a focus on safety, accuracy, and ethical documentation, as well as on identifying violations of international law.
You can explore the first section of this guidance here (in Arabic and English), which covers documenting blast sites, structural damage, and munitions – this is part of a comprehensive resource set to be released in 2025.
As we continue to refine this guidance, we welcome your feedback. Send your suggestions to mena@witness.org, and let us know how we can improve this tool.
Gaza Media Resources
WITNESS also joined its partners and formed the Gaza Crisis Response coalition and helped launch the Gaza Media Resources suite, an open-access library designed to support those combating misinformation, hate speech, and incitement to violence.
This platform – which will soon be updated with our new guidance on documenting airstrikes and munitions – aims to empower practitioners to document, debunk false narratives, archive and preserve critical content, and better prepare communities to cope with the effects of war-induced trauma.
Explore and share the resource library at Gaza Media Resources, and use and follow #GazaMediaResources for updates and contributions from our partners and community.
Get Involved
Follow WITNESS on social media for updates and other opportunities to take action.
For updates on our work in the Middle East and North Africa, follow us on:
For updates on WITNESS’ global work, also follow us on:
Additionally, you can explore WITNESS’ Resources Library, which features guidance related to our work in the Middle East, as well as a diverse array of resources from various regions and available in multiple languages.
You can also follow our Gaza Crisis Response coalition partners for more updates and resources: 7amleh, Smex, and Meedan.
Your voice matters. Help us spread the word by sharing campaign content, using hashtags like #EyesOnPalestine and #EyesOnArms, and encouraging others to join the effort. Together, we can amplify the powerful work of those documenting human rights abuses and push for real change.