'[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.