Saleh al-Jafarawi, a prominent Palestinian figure known for documenting the ongoing war in Gaza and infamously celebrating the massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, was reported killed on Monday during clashes between Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
His death sparked mixed reactions, with many Israelis expressing relief, viewing him as a mouthpiece for Hamas, while pro-Palestinian supporters, including Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, expressed sorrow.
Duwaji took to Instagram to honor the “beloved Jafarawi,” expressing her grief with four broken heart emojis.
At just 27 years old, he earned the nickname “Mr. FAFO” in Israeli circles for his provocative celebration of the terror attack executed by Hamas.
In a conflicting display of emotion, he had previously shared a video of himself in tears when Israel began airstrikes on Gaza, marking the escalation of hostilities against Hamas.
<p<Jafarawi's X account, where he garnered a following of over 250,000, featured a video of his lifeless body, donned in a press jacket.
Jafarawi was a polarizing figure in Israel, recognized for his significant following, even though many disapproved of his message.
“For the past two years, I have been captivated by Saleh Al-Jafarawi (‘Mr. FAFO’), oscillating between horror and intrigue. He was a compelling character; his charisma and creativity were striking. Always reinventing himself, he presented diverse personas—from a patient to a radiologist, a jihadist to a foreign correspondent—infusing his content with flair and drama to capture new viewers and narrate his story,” remarked former Israeli spokesperson Eylon Levy, as reported by the Times of Israel.
“In another life, we might have been friends—one where he directed his talents toward good rather than supporting the genocidal forces behind the October 7 attack.”
