Pro-Hamas influencer killed in Gaza battles

The death of propagandist Saleh Aljafarawi has been met with bitter satire on X, particularly over his ‘remarkable ability to appear in every role imaginable - often within the same 24-hour news cycle.’

A prominent Palestinian influencer linked to Hamas has been killed in violent clashes in Gaza.

Saleh Aljafarawi, 28, was found shot in the head after running battles between the militant group and a powerful rival clan left at least 27 dead in Gaza City over the weekend.

Al Jazeera reported that Aljafarawi was shot by members of an “armed militia” while covering the fighting in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City. Footage on the pro-Hamas news site shows him wearing a press flak jacket, lying on what appeared to be the back of a truck.

Aljafarawil, who described himself as a journalist, first came to international attention when he recorded a video on October 7 2023 praising Hamas’s attacks on southern Gaza. After he later filmed himself crying in terror during Israeli strikes on the enclave, pro-Israeli activists posted the videos together, labelling him “Mr FAFO” (F*** Around and Find Out).

The nickname stuck particularly as the influencer became known for repeatedly filming himself in hospital after allegedly being injured in Israeli attacks, and appearing in posts after being reported dead.

His death on Monday (AEST) has been met with bitter satire on X, as his role as a propagandist for Hamas was decried, with one person writing of how his “remarkable ability to appear in every role imaginable — often within the same 24-hour news cycle — made him a legend of modern propaganda.”

Others pointed to his multiple roles as freedom fighter (posing with a gun), blood donor (after filming himself donating blood from an arm he claimed to have lost in battle) and, hilariously, “dramatically surviving his own televised demise — only to return as a Revived Corpse, wrapped tastefully in burial cloth and still checking his phone.”

Saleh Aljafarawi was taunted for the multiple toles he claimed to play. Picture: X

One person, clearly not a fan, posted a series of photographs of him in his various roles, writing: “Mr FAFO’s career highlights include serving as a War Correspondent (reporting live from scenes he staged), a Radiology Tech (operating the same CT scanner he once occupied), and briefly as a Tour Guide, showing journalists the very rubble he helped create.

“In his final act, Mr. FAFO auditioned for American Idol, where judges praised his emotional range but questioned his ability to stay dead.

He leaves behind countless viral videos, thousands of recycled identities, and one very tired camera crew.

“Services will be held simultaneously in five locations, depending on which version of him is trending. In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to donate to the “Rebuild Mr. FAFO Fund,” ensuring his next resurrection is in 4K.

“May he rest in pixels.”

On the left: An IG video post from Saleh Al Jafarawi, also known as “Mr. Fafo,” celebrating Hamas rocket attacks on Israel’s civilian population.

On the right: An IG post from Rama Duwaji, @ZohranKMamdani’s wife eulogizing him earlier today after he was killed by Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/cEAWWUC0qr

— Benny Polatseck (@BPolatseck) October 13, 2025

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Another wrote: “In one week last year he played a doctor, a patient, blood donor, a journalist and a construction worker. In ONE WEEK!!! I really hope the Academy awards honours him this year.”

Other pro-Palestinian people wrote of their sadness at his death, blaming “Israeli collaborators” for his murder.

The running battles between Hamas and the powerful Doghmush family reportedly began on Saturday (AEDT) when members of the clan ambushed several militants, shortly after the ceasefire with Israel began.

Saleh Aljafarawi was shot dead during battles between Hamas and a rival clan in Gaza. Picture: X.

The bodies of two Hamas fighters, including the son of Hamas’s head of military intelligence, were left in the streets after they were executed, prompting the group to launch an armed raid on the clan’s stronghold in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City. Footage on Telegram also showed Hamas fighters beating several men in the street and firing shots to scare off crowds.

The group also recalled 7000 members of its internal security forces to “cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators” including militiamen armed by Israel during the conflict.

During the war, Jafarawil often spoke of the danger he claimed to be in. “Honestly, I lived in fear for every second … not knowing what the next second would bring,” he told Al Jazeera in January.

“All the scenes and situations I went through during these 467 days will not be erased from my memory. All the situations we faced, we will never be able to forget them,” he said.

During the war, Jafarawi was accused in social media reports of pocketing millions of dollars he had raised as donations for Gaza residents.