I've just finished editing a story on the murder of Italian human rights activist Vittorio Arrigoni. This morning his body was found hanging in an abandoned house in Gaza City. He was killed by a Salafist group called Mohamed Bin-Mosliemah. The Salafis attempted to use him as a bargaining chip; they demanded the release of their co-religionists from prison; Hamas has claimed that security services found Vittorio's body hours before the deadline.

Vittorio was in my opinion not only a dedicated friend of Gazans but also a fabulous writer. In this space I think it's appropriate to remember him for his unflinching yet humane writing style:

At this point, the doctor bends towards one of the boxes, and opens it in front of me. Inside are mutilated limbs, arms and legs from the knee down or entire femurs, amputated from the injured who had come from the UN Fakhura School in Jabalia, more than 50 victims until now.

Pretending I had an urgent phone call, I take my leave of Jamal; in fact, I head to the toilet, double up, and vomit.

Considering the murder of Juliano Mer Khamis only a few weeks ago, right now the ranks of Palestinian solidarity are being dealt a crippling blow.