Plestia Alaqad

{{Infobox person

| name = Plestia Alaqad

| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ar|{{Script/Arabic|بلستيا العقاد}}|rtl=yes}}}}

| native_name_lang = ar

| alt =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|12|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Gaza Strip

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Palestinian

| other_names =

| alma_mater = Eastern Mediterranean University

| occupation = {{hlist|Journalist|poet}}

| years_active = 2023–present

| known_for = Documenting the Gaza war on social media

| notable_works =

}}

Plestia Alaqad ({{langx|ar|بلستيا العقاد}}; born 10 December 2001){{Cite news |last1=Gebeily |first1=Maya |last2=Lubowicka |first2=Anna Magdalena |date=2023-10-11 |title=Palestinians in Gaza say Israeli bombardment feels like new 'Nakba' |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-gaza-say-israeli-bombardment-feels-like-new-nakba-2023-10-10/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |archive-date=2023-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054639/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-gaza-say-israeli-bombardment-feels-like-new-nakba-2023-10-10/ |url-status=live }} is a Palestinian journalist and poet. She gained international attention for her daily coverage of the Gaza war, which began on 7 October 2023, by way of her social media accounts.

In November 2023, as the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip intensified, Alaqad and her family fled to Egypt and then to Australia, where she continued her advocacy on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Early life and education

Alaqad was born on 10 December 2001 and grew up in the Gaza Strip.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2023-10-11/inside-gaza-palestinian-journalist-says-its-massacre-complete-genocide|title=Inside Gaza: Palestinian journalist, 22, says 'it's massacre, complete genocide'|website=ITV News|date=11 October 2023|accessdate=24 January 2024|archive-date=25 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125034445/https://www.itv.com/news/2023-10-11/inside-gaza-palestinian-journalist-says-its-massacre-complete-genocide|url-status=live}} She has an older brother and a younger sister. Her mother is the former head of the American International School in Gaza's middle school. Her father is employed abroad.{{Cite web |title=Plestia Alaqad lands at AUB |url=https://www.aub.edu.lb/advancement/Development/Pages/Plestia_Alaqad_lands_at_AUB.aspx |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=American University of Beirut |language=en-US}} She attended the American International School in the city of Beit Lahia, and later enrolled at Eastern Mediterranean University in what is {{Langx|la|de facto|label=none}} Northern Cyprus to study New Media and Journalism, graduating in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/gazan-journalist-plestia-alaqad-covering-war-instagram-i-want-world-see-us-humans|title=Gazan journalist Plestia Alaqad on covering the war on Instagram: "I want the world to see us as humans"|work=Reuters Institute|publisher=University of Oxford|first=Matthew|last=Leake|date=20 December 2023|accessdate=23 January 2024|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123214550/https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/gazan-journalist-plestia-alaqad-covering-war-instagram-i-want-world-see-us-humans|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |author=Alizee Ali Khan |date=3 December 2023 |title=Plestia Alaqad: A Gaza Journalist's Inspiring Story |url=https://alizeekhan.medium.com/plestia-alaqad-131e980ca54a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231143533/https://alizeekhan.medium.com/plestia-alaqad-131e980ca54a |archive-date=31 December 2023 |accessdate=24 January 2024 |website=Medium}}

In August 2024, Alaqad won the Shireen Abu Akleh Memorial Scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) in Media Studies at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-journalism-fa34150f2930bd502b4baf5fd1af2322|title=Young Palestinian journalist who reported on Gaza's destruction now continues education in Lebanon|work=AP News|first=Kareem|last=Chehayeb|date=3 September 2024|accessdate=1 October 2024}}

Career

Alaqad previously worked as a human resources professional at a marketing agency while gathering a small online following on Instagram in her free time.{{Cite web |last=Khanwala |first=Sugra |title=How Gaza war changed this Palestinian content creator's life |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/long-reads/from-instagrammer-to-war-correspondent-how-gaza-crisis-changed-this-palestinians-life |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223054625/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/long-reads/from-instagrammer-to-war-correspondent-how-gaza-crisis-changed-this-palestinians-life |url-status=live }} She regularly conducted media training as well, in addition to engaging in freelance journalism.{{Cite news |last=Michaelson |first=Ruth |date=2023-12-12 |title='I'm not just covering the news – I'm living it': Gaza's citizen journalists chronicling life in war |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/gaza-citizen-journalists-war-footage-israel |access-date=2023-12-22 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222210452/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/gaza-citizen-journalists-war-footage-israel |url-status=live }} Prior to the Gaza war, Alaqad's online content mainly consisted of travel content, covering locations like Cyprus and Turkey.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=5 Doctors and Journalists Playing Vital Roles in Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis |url=https://en.vogue.me/culture/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-doctors-journalists/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112194544/https://en.vogue.me/culture/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-doctors-journalists/ |url-status=live }}

= Outbreak of the Israel–Gaza war =

A recent graduate of Eastern Mediterranean University, Alaqad was due to start a new job on 8 October 2023. However, on 7 October 2023, the Hamas-led attack on Israel triggered what would become the deadliest war of the Arab–Israeli conflict. Shortly after the Israeli government declared that it was imposing a "total blockade" on the Gaza Strip, Alaqad began documenting the effects of the Israeli bombardment campaign and posted the video diaries to her Instagram account.{{Cite web |last1=Abbruzzese |first1=Jason |last2=Ingram |first2=David |last3=Yasmine |first3=Salam |date=2023-11-03 |title=On Instagram, Palestinian journalists and digital creators documenting Gaza strikes see surge in followers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/instagram-palestinian-journalists-digital-creators-document-gaza-strik-rcna123067 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116192221/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/instagram-palestinian-journalists-digital-creators-document-gaza-strik-rcna123067 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Mikayla |date=2023-11-04 |title=Pressure for cease-fire mounts; expert describes suffering Gaza |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/expert-gaza-suffering/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=CBS Chicago |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054636/https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/expert-gaza-suffering/ |url-status=live }} By November 3, she had accumulated 2.1 million followers on Instagram, and that figure doubled by 22 November.{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Alex |date=2023-11-22 |title=Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad flees Gaza: 'I hope this nightmare ends' |url=https://news.yahoo.com/palestinian-journalist-plestia-alaqad-flees-190903312.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123062741/https://news.yahoo.com/palestinian-journalist-plestia-alaqad-flees-190903312.html |url-status=live }} Alaqad's videos have been shared by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title='We can't breathe,' Gaza resident shows life under bombardment |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-11/we-cant-breathe-gaza-resident-shows-life-under-bombardment/102961612 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=2023-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054637/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-11/we-cant-breathe-gaza-resident-shows-life-under-bombardment/102961612 |url-status=live }} the British Broadcasting Corporation,{{Cite news |title=Hiding at home, blinded and choked by dust - life in Gaza |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-67074435 |access-date=2023-11-07 |archive-date=2023-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106224650/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-67074435 |url-status=live }} Business Today,{{Cite web |last=Madhukalya |first=Anwesha |date=2023-10-12 |title=Israel-Hamas war: Inside war-torn Gaza with a brave Instagram journalist |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/israel-hamas-war-inside-war-torn-gaza-with-a-brave-instagram-journalist-401668-2023-10-12 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Business Today |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054637/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/israel-hamas-war-inside-war-torn-gaza-with-a-brave-instagram-journalist-401668-2023-10-12 |url-status=live }} The Independent,{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Oliver |title=Young woman in Gaza films herself sheltering as bombs drop outside window |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/israel-bombing-gaza-palestine-airstrikes-b2427018.html |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=The Independent |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054636/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/israel-bombing-gaza-palestine-airstrikes-b2427018.html |url-status=live }} The New York Times,{{Cite news |last1=El-Naggar |first1=Mona |last2=Clarke |first2=Chevaz |last3=Boyer |first3=Mark |date=2023-10-13 |title=Video: Two Young Women Capture Life Under Siege Inside Gaza |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000009127511/gaza-palestinian-voices-war.html |access-date=2023-11-07 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107054636/https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000009127511/gaza-palestinian-voices-war.html |url-status=live }} PBS NewsHour,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Fears of bigger war grow as Israel-Hamas fighting continues after surprise attack |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/fears-of-bigger-war-grow-as-israel-hamas-fighting-continues-after-surprise-attack |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106221036/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/fears-of-bigger-war-grow-as-israel-hamas-fighting-continues-after-surprise-attack |url-status=live }} and The Washington Post.{{Cite news|last=Wagner|first=Laura|date=16 October 2023|title=It's becoming impossible to report from Gaza|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/10/16/gaza-journalists-palestinian-reporters-challenges/|access-date=7 November 2023|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=16 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116160455/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/10/16/gaza-journalists-palestinian-reporters-challenges/|url-status=live}} She was also interviewed by the GB News Breakfast Show for an inquiry on how Gazans' lives had been affected by the war.

In light of the intensity of the Israeli military's offensive and the high Palestinian death toll accompanying it, Alaqad has accused Israel of waging a genocidal war against the Palestinian people. She has also stated that her experiences with the Israel–Hamas war have driven her to understand her late grandfather's emotions towards the 1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight, which is known as the Nakba in Palestinian society.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title='No place safe': a Gaza journalist's life under siege |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/no-place-safe-gaza-journalists-091311160.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115162823/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/no-place-safe-gaza-journalists-091311160.html |url-status=live }}

=Since leaving Gaza=

On 22 November 2023, roughly one month into the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Alaqad and her family fled to Egypt via the Rafah Border Crossing and then, a few days later, to Australia,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/gaza-citizen-journalists-war-footage-israel|title='I'm not just covering the news – I'm living it': Gaza's citizen journalists chronicling life in war|journal=The Guardian|first=Ruth|last=Michaelson|date=12 December 2023|accessdate=24 January 2024|archive-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119192636/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/gaza-citizen-journalists-war-footage-israel|url-status=live}} having secured visas via her uncle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/gaza-journalist-plestia-alaqad-instagram-palestine/|title=An aspiring journalist documented Gaza's beauty, then its destruction|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Kevin|last=Sieff|date=28 December 2023|accessdate=24 January 2024|archive-date=28 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428175617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/gaza-journalist-plestia-alaqad-instagram-palestine/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} In a later video, Alaqad, residing in Melbourne, explained that she chose to leave the Gaza Strip because she feared that her journalism was putting her family in immediate danger.{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Harmeet |date=2024-01-19 |title=Violence in Gaza turned these everyday Palestinians into chroniclers of war |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/world/palestinians-x-tiktok-instagram-gaza-cec/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205200508/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/world/palestinians-x-tiktok-instagram-gaza-cec/index.html |archive-date=5 February 2024 |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In February 2024, Alaqad took part in the Bankstown Poetry Slam in the city of Sydney, where she presented poetry that she had written about the war in her diary while she was in the Gaza Strip.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/poetry-forged-in-war-palestinian-exile-plestia-alaqad-wows-sydney-audience|title=Poetry forged in war: Palestinian exile and social media sensation Plestia Alaqad leaves Sydney audience in tears|work=The Guardian|first=Daisy|last=Dumas|date=2024-02-12|access-date=2024-02-13|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229175612/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/poetry-forged-in-war-palestinian-exile-plestia-alaqad-wows-sydney-audience|url-status=live}}

In a six-way auction, Pan Macmillan won the rights to publish Alaqad's debut book The Eyes of Gaza, a series of diary extracts, in 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/pan-macmillan-wins-six-way-auction-for-rights-to-first-hand-gaza-account|title=Pan Macmillan wins six-way auction for rights to first-hand Gaza account|work=The Bookseller|first=Maia|last=Snow|date=25 September 2024|accessdate=1 October 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2024/09/25/plestia-alaqad-book-gaza/|title=Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad's first book set to be released in 2025|journal=The National|first=Maan|last=Jalal|date=25 September 2024|accessdate=1 October 2024}}

Awards

In December 2024, Plestia Alaqad was included on the BBC's 100 Women list,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611|title=BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year?|publisher=BBC|date=3 December 2024|accessdate=3 December 2024}} and shared Amnesty International Australia's inaugural Human Rights Defender Award with Palestinian journalists Bisan Owda, Anas Al-Sharif, and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin.{{Cite web |date=12 December 2024 |title=Human Rights Defender Awards |url=https://www.amnesty.org.au/human-rights-defender-awards-2024/ |website=Amnesty International Australia}}