The Eyes of Gaza

The raw truth of The Eyes of Gaza hurts. But what’s the point of anything if we can’t face the truth? Palestinians are just like us; they feel as we feel. Please read this joyful, tragic account of life in Gaza. And celebrate Plestia Alaqad’s courage and skill and stop the killing – Miriam Margolyes, bestselling author of This Much Is TrueHow do you get over a genocide? The question Plestia asks is rhetorical, yet it lingers long after the page is turned, heavy with grief and impossible to answer. Plestia is more than a journalist, she is a witness, a storyteller and an unrelenting seeker of truth. With a camera in one hand and a pen in the other, she has dedicated her life to ensuring the world does not look away. Through her lens, she captures not only the devastation of genocide in Gaza, but also the weight of a lifetime lived under Israeli occupation. Her writing is deeply personal, at times reading like a journal entry or a letter from a friend. She weaves hope and pain so seamlessly that it often hurts to read, each word a testament to both resilience and loss. Plestia’s ink serves as the veins of Gaza, giving life to stories that might otherwise be erased. With striking imagery and intimate detail, her reporting is more than documentation, it is resistance. Her words left me both devastated and inspired - moved by the strength found in community, the unwavering spirit of her people, and the urgent need for collective liberation – MacklemoreThe Eyes of Gaza transforms pain into poetry, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the depths of loss, hope and survival – Rupi Kaur, bestselling author of Milk and HoneyWritten with humor, impossible optimism, faith, and – sometimes – despair, Plestia has given the world an intimate glimpse of life – family, friendship, mutual care, trauma, boredom, hunger, thirst, guilt, and more – in the midst of Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians – Susan Abulhawa, bestselling author of Mornings in JeninPlestia Alaqad became our eyes in Gaza and has forever taken a huge piece of our hearts. In this series of diary entries, she welcomes us to live through the genocide again but, this time, with greater intimacy. It reveals a tender and infallible optimism that siege and systematic war have failed to crush. The Eyes of Gaza gives us a glimpse of how the most noble of people not only survived a genocide but are more resolute than ever that their future is freedom and that the future is Palestine – Noura Erakat, author of Justice for SomeDuring the first months of the war, I was working, sleeping and eating in the Operating Room. Days would pass before I would step outside. Plestia became our messenger from the outside world. Hers is a unique story, a unique journey – Dr Ghassan Abu-SittahAn astounding first-hand account of surviving one of the deadliest and most destructive campaigns in recorded history … poignant – The Irish TimesPowerful … an intimate and unflinching testimony and love letter to a homeland under fire – The National

Plestia Alaqad is a Palestinian journalist and author who has emerged as a vital voice in the midst of the destruction in Gaza. At just twenty-one years old, she captivated audiences with her raw and poignant coverage of her surroundings. Through her unflinching dispatches shared on social media, Alaqad has offered the world an unfiltered glimpse into the harrowing realities of life under siege, her experiences resonating deeply with millions across the globe.

In November 2023, as the war escalated, Alaqad and her family were forced to leave Gaza. Since then, she has been awarded the Shireen Abu Akleh Memorial Scholarship for a master’s in media studies at the American University of Beirut, where she continues to advocate for justice. Her advocacy has transcended borders, drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and calling for freedom and accountability.

Alaqad’s remarkable journalism has earned her multiple prestigious accolades, including being named one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2024 and winning the One Young World Journalist of the Year Award, the Lyra McKee Award for Bravery, and a Human Rights Defender Award.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.