French journalist Marine Vlahovic, an advocate for the Palestinian cause, passed away on November 25, 2024, at the age of 39. She was discovered unresponsive on the rooftop terrace of her apartment in Marseille, France. The news has left the journalism community mourning the loss of a dedicated reporter and expert on the Middle East.
According to local French media, Vlahovic’s friends raised concerns when she stopped responding to calls and messages, prompting them to visit her residence. It was there that they found her unresponsive. The police have since launched an investigation into the cause of her death, though the Marseille prosecutor’s office has ruled out any suspicious causes after the initial autopsy. Toxicological analyses are still underway to determine the exact cause.
Vlahovic was widely known for her coverage of the Palestinian struggle, particularly during her time reporting from Ramallah in the West Bank between 2016 and 2019. Throughout her career, she collaborated with several prominent media outlets, including RFI, Radio France, Le Soir, and Swiss Radio Television (RTS). In 2019, she moved to Marseille, yet remained deeply connected to Palestine, especially Gaza, where she continued to maintain close contact with local journalists.
In 2024, Vlahovic was in the middle of a documentary project about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She was reportedly preparing to shed light on what she described as Israel’s "genocidal war" against the besieged Gaza Strip.
"The journalist was in the process of making a documentary about the genocide in Gaza and was preparing to reveal information about the genocidal army," shared one of her supporters on social media.
La journaliste pro-Palestine Marine Vlahovic retrouvée morte à son domicile à Marseille. La journaliste était en train de réaliser un documentaire sur le génocide à Gaza et s’apprêtait à faire des révélations sur l’armée génocidaire 🇮🇱
— Léo (@Yazid_Dz_16) November 30, 2024
Paix à son âme #marinevlahovic #Justice… pic.twitter.com/QnIoem8zVU
Vlahovic's work, particularly her poignant documentary Gaza Calling from 2012, showcased her commitment to amplifying voices from the region, gathering videos and messages from those caught in the crossfire. Her profound expertise on West Asian affairs earned her recognition not only in journalism circles but also among activists and advocates for peace and justice in the region.
Her death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the journalism community. ARTE Radio, where Vlahovic had contributed, expressed their sorrow: “Her work will be missed in the world of audio documentaries. The entire team is thinking of her family and loved ones and joins in their grief.”
The circumstances surrounding Vlahovic’s death remain unclear, and groups like Women Press Freedom have called for a full investigation. The organization mourned her loss, stating, “The 39-year-old Middle East expert and advocate for the Palestinian cause was discovered by friends on her residence's roof terrace. While an autopsy revealed no immediate evidence of foul play, toxicology results are pending. We urge authorities to conduct a full and transparent inquiry into her untimely passing.”
In 2024, Women Press Freedom documented the deaths of at least 24 women journalists, including 10 Palestinian reporters killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. Vlahovic’s passing is another stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones.
As the investigation into her death continues, we will provide you with further updates.
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