Synopsis
The instant New York Times bestseller
Shortlisted for the Westminster Book Awards 2025
‘[A] joyful, tragic account of life in Gaza’ – Miriam Margolyes
‘Left me both devastated and inspired’ – Macklemore
‘Transforms pain into poetry’ – Rupi Kaur
In early October 2023, Plestia Alaqad was a recent graduate with dreams of becoming a journalist. By the end of that November, she would be internationally known as the 'Eyes of Gaza', moving millions with her social media posts depicting daily life in Gaza amid Israel’s deadly invasion and bombardment.
Written as a series of diary extracts, The Eyes of Gaza relates the horrors of Plestia’s experiences, while showcasing the indomitable spirit of the men, women and children of her community. From the heart of the turmoil, surrounded by falling bombs and widespread devastation, she captures their emotions; their gentle acts of quiet, necessary heroism; and the moments of unexpected tenderness and vulnerability amid the chaos.
Through the raw honesty and vulnerability of a normal twenty-one-year-old woman navigating a human tragedy, The Eyes of Gaza is a potent reminder of the horrors of violence and a powerful testament to the human spirit.
Details
22 January 2026
9781035070275About the author
Plestia Alaqad, a Palestinian journalist and poet, has emerged as a vital voice in the midst of the chaos in Gaza, offering the world a poignant and unfiltered glimpse into the heart of its destruction. At just 22 years old, Alaqad has captivated an international audience with her gripping coverage, which erupted on October 7, 2023. Through her social media channels, she has shared the harrowing realities of life under siege, her vivid dispatches resonating deeply with millions across the globe.
As the fighting intensified, November 2023 saw Alaqad and her family forced to leave Gaza. She has since been awarded the Shireen Abu Akhleh Memorial Scholarship, for a master's in media studies, at the American University of Beirut. Alaqad continues to wield her voice with unwavering conviction, illuminating the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people. Her advocacy transcends borders, drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and calling for justice and freedom.
In 2024, Plestia was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women of the Year, and as One Young World's Journalist of the Year.
The Eyes of Gaza is her first book.
Reviews
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
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
The Eyes of Gaza transforms pain into poetry, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the depths of loss, hope and survival
Plestia 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
Books by Plestia Alaqad
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