On the morning of October 7, 2023, 21-year-old Plestia Alaqad woke to a flurry of messages and headlines: Gaza under bombardment. Civilians flee waves of Israeli strikes. In a few short days, she and her family found themselves at the epicenter of a violence all too familiar to Palestinians—but this time, she knew, things would never be the same.
A recent university graduate dreaming of a career as a journalist, Plestia donned the press vest in the following days and began broadcasting videos of violence and destruction to millions online — becoming known across the world as “The Eyes of Gaza.”
THE EYES OF GAZA (September 30 / Little, Brown and Company) is a series of diary extracts from the weeks following October 7, a gutting, on-the-ground record of the suffering and horror endured by the people of Palestine.
As Alaqad fled from neighborhood to neighborhood, from hospital to hospital, she documented all she saw — the destruction of beloved homes, waves of bombs, and most of all, the boundless bravery and generosity of her people — all the while trying to memorize the faces of those around her “so somebody will have known them before the end,” and wondering if, one day, her own journal will be discovered amidst the rubble.
Few books have been written by the Palestinians directly impacted by this violence, because they simply cannot leave or have not survived. With Palestinians having now faced more than 600 days of genocide, this is more than a book, more than a memoir; THE EYES OF GAZA is a manifesto of hope, a document of the indomitable Palestinian spirit, and a tribute to Plestia’s beloved homeland: “I am who I am because of Gaza… Everything I do is for Gaza. In a way, it is giving back to the city that raised me.” (Interview, GQ Middle East)
–Praise for THE EYES OF GAZA:
“How 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.”–Macklemore, Grammy Award-winning Musician
“The Eyes of Gaza transforms pain into poetry, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the depths of loss, hope and survival.”–Rupi Kaur, Poet
“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, Comedian and Author
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.
