This Palestinian journalist kept a diary as Israeli forces invaded – now it’s a book
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Palestinian journalist Plestia Al-Akhad discusses her book "The Eyes of Gaza," which developed from her social media documentation of life in Gaza before and after October 7th, 2023. Through her diary entries, Al-Akhad captures the transformation of daily life from beach outings and cultural celebrations to existence under bombardment, with particular attention to how children and families adapt to life in temporary shelters.
Al-Akhad connects the current situation to the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including her grandfather's accounts of the 1948 Nakba. The episode explores how Al-Akhad used her platform to document Palestinian daily life beyond the conflict, including fashion, food, and social connections, while maintaining relationships with friends despite displacement and limited communication.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 23, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Al-akhad's Reporting Experience During Gaza's 2023 Invasion
Plestia Al-Akhad's documentation of life in Gaza shows a stark contrast before and after October 7th, 2023. Prior to the conflict, her Instagram feed portrayed a vibrant Gaza filled with music, beach outings, and cultural celebrations. However, following Hamas's attack on Israel, Al-Akhad's social media transformed into a chronicle of life under bombardment, eventually forming the basis of her book "The Eyes of Gaza."
Impact of Invasion on Palestinian Children
Through her diary entries, Al-Akhad reveals the profound impact of the invasion on Gaza's youngest residents. She describes children who have developed a fear of the sky due to constant bombings, and newborns who know only life in temporary shelters. Despite these challenges, Al-Akhad documents how Palestinian families maintain their cultural identity and find moments of joy amid the chaos, with parents working tirelessly to protect their children from the worst effects of war.
Context of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Nakba
Al-Akhad frames the 2023 invasion within the broader historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, connecting it to the 1948 Nakba through her grandfather's firsthand accounts. She emphasizes how this cyclical violence continues to affect Palestinians, while also highlighting their ongoing resistance and hope for justice.
Al-akhad's Efforts to Document Life Beyond the Conflict
Before the 2023 invasion, Al-Akhad used her platform to showcase Palestinian daily life, including fashion, food, and social connections. In her book, she deliberately challenges media narratives that portray Palestinians solely as victims. Her continued connection with her best friend Dana in Gaza, maintained despite displacement and limited internet access, serves as a powerful example of Palestinian resilience and the enduring bonds within their community.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can document your community's everyday life through photography or social media to preserve and share its culture. By capturing images of local events, traditions, and daily interactions, you create a visual record that can serve as a historical document for future generations. For example, take photos at community gatherings, of street art, or during festivals and share them with a narrative that reflects the community's spirit.
- Start a personal journal or blog that explores your family's history and how it has shaped your identity. This can be a private space where you reflect on the stories you've heard from older relatives, or it can be a public blog where you invite others to read and contribute their own experiences. For instance, write about the traditions your family has maintained over the years and how they've adapted to changing circumstances.
- Engage with children in creative storytelling activities that allow them to express their hopes and fears. This could be through art, writing, or play. It helps children to process their emotions and fosters resilience. You might, for example, provide art supplies for drawing or set up a simple puppet theater at home or in a community center to encourage imaginative play and storytelling.
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Al-akhad's Reporting Experience During Gaza's 2023 Invasion
Plestia Al-Akhad provides a unique perspective of life in Gaza through her documentation on social media and diary entries, especially during the tumultuous times of bombardment in 2023.
Al-akhad Chronicled Gaza's Bombardment Via Social Media and Diary Entries, Offering a Firsthand Account of Life Under Siege
Before October 7th, Al-akhad's Instagram Showcased a Vibrant Gaza Life, Highlighting the Journalist's Activities and Palestinian Celebrations
Before October 7, 2023, Plestia Al-Akhad’s Instagram account celebrated the daily life in Gaza. Her posts included music, beach outings in Gaza City, time spent with friends, getting dressed up, and celebrating Palestinian culture. The young journalist utilized Instagram to keep up with friends and share life events such as weddings and travels, projecting a vibrant and lively image of Gaza.
Al-akhad's Social Media Shifted To Documenting Life During Bombardment, Sharing Diary Pages
However, after Hamas attacked Israel, Al-Akhad’s social media narrative took a dark turn as she began to document the harsh reality of Israel’s intense bombardment. Al-Akhad offered the world an insider's view of the dismal life under siege. She would intermittently post diary pages on social media until she was able to safely exit Gaza. These diary entries eventually became part of her new book, "The Eyes of Gaza." Post-October 7th, the content on social platforms transformed drastically, mirroring the conflict’s violence and losses, exemplified by Al-Akhad learning of a friend's death through Instagram.
Al-akhad's Diary: "the Eyes of Gaza" Chronicles Her Emotional Turmoil
Impact of Invasion on Palestinian Children: Robbed Of Childhood, Forced to Grow Up Amidst Violence
Within the pages of her diary, Al-Akhad paints a harrowing picture of the invasion's impact on Palestinian childr ...
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Al-akhad's Reporting Experience During Gaza's 2023 Invasion
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a visual journal to capture the essence of your community's everyday life, using photos and brief descriptions to highlight the beauty in the mundane. Start by taking one photo each day that represents a unique aspect of your community, whether it's a street scene, a local business, or a neighbor's garden. Write a sentence or two about why this image is significant to you and compile these entries in a physical or digital journal.
- Engage in letter-writing to children in conflict zones through established charities, offering words of support and friendship. Research organizations that facilitate letter exchanges and commit to writing monthly letters. In your correspondence, focus on themes of hope, resilience, and shared human experiences, avoiding political commentary to maintain the integrity of the support.
- Host a small, informal book club with friends or family to read and discuss ...
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Impact of Invasion on Palestinian Children
The invasion and the resulting conflict have had significant consequences on the lives of Palestinian children.
Al-akhad Highlighted the Impact of Violence on Palestinian Children Living In Fear
Gaza's Children: Robbed Of Childhood By Anxiety Over Bombings and an Uncertain Future
Plestia Al-Akhad has pointed out the harsh realities faced by the children of Gaza, whose childhoods are marred by the anxiety of daily violence. The continual bombings and the uncertainty of what lies ahead have stripped these young children of the joys and security that should characterize youth.
Newborns in Gaza Only Know Tent Shelters, Not Home Comforts, due to Displacement
In an even more heartbreaking situation, Al-Akhad discusses how many babies born during times of violence in Gaza only know life within the confines of a tent. These newborns have been deprived of the comforts and stability that a home should provide, their earliest experiences defined by displacement and upheaval.
Palestinian Parents' Resilience to Protect Children From War and Find Joy Amidst Chaos
Despite the Trauma, Palestinian Families Preserved Community and Cultural ...
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Impact of Invasion on Palestinian Children
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can foster empathy by writing letters of solidarity to children in conflict zones, expressing support and sharing stories of resilience from your own life. This personal touch can help children feel less isolated and more connected to a global community that cares about their well-being.
- Create a virtual story exchange program where you and your peers can share comforting bedtime stories with children in displaced communities. By recording and sending these stories, you provide a sense of normalcy and the comfort of a bedtime routine that many of these children may be missing.
- Sta ...
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Context of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Nakba
Al-Akhad delves into the ongoing strife of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, framing the 2023 invasion as part of a historical continuum rooted deeply in the events of 1948's Nakba.
Al-akhad's Book Situates the 2023 Invasion Within the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Tracing Roots To the 1948 Nakba
Stories of the Nakba: Al-akhad's Grandfather and the Fight for Palestinian Rights
Al-Akhad emphasizes that to understand the Palestinian perspective, one must look beyond the 2023 invasion and recognize the longstanding history that began with the Nakba in 1948. She recalls hearing stories of the Nakba from her grandfather, imparting firsthand narratives that have fueled the Palestinian fight for rights.
Al-akhad Links the 2023 Invasion to Ongoing Israeli Occupation, Displacement, and Violence Against Palestinians
Cyclical Violence Fuels Trauma and Despair, yet Palestinians Continu ...
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Context of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Nakba
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The historical narrative is complex, and while the Nakba is a significant event in Palestinian history, some argue that it is also important to consider events leading up to 1948, including the role of British Mandate policies and Arab leadership decisions at the time.
- Some historians and political analysts argue that the Israeli perspective also needs to be understood, which includes fears of existential threats and the desire for a safe homeland after centuries of persecution, including the Holocaust.
- There is a viewpoint that emphasizes the need for mutual recognition and reconciliation, suggesting that focusing solely on one narrative may hinder the peace process and the possibility of a two-state solution.
- Critics of the resistance movement might argue that certain tactics used by some Palestinian groups, such as rocket attacks on civilian areas, are counterproductive and exacerbate the cycle of violence.
- Some international law experts may argue that the term "invasion" may not accurately describe all Israeli military actions, and that each incident should be examined based on its specific context and legality under international law.
- There are voices within the peace advocacy community that stress the importance of non-violent resistance and dialo ...
Actionables
- You can deepen your historical understanding by creating a timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with key events and personal narratives. Start by researching significant dates and events starting from 1948, and annotate them with stories from various perspectives, including Palestinian voices. This will help you visualize the progression of the conflict and the human impact over time.
- Engage in empathy-building exercises by writing fictional letters from the perspective of individuals affected by the conflict. Imagine you are a person living through the events of the Nakba or the 2023 invasion, and write a letter expressing your experiences, hopes, and fears. This can foster a personal connection to the historical and current realities of those involved.
- Support peace-building initiatives by contributing t ...
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Al-akhad's Efforts to Document Life Beyond the Conflict
Al-akhad is on a mission to showcase aspects of Palestinian life that extend beyond the violence and conflict by emphasizing culture, joy, and resilience.
Showcasing Palestinian Culture, Joy, and Resilience Despite Violence
Before 2023 Invasion, Al-akhad's Instagram Celebrated Gaza's Everyday Palestinian Life, Highlighting Fashion, Food, and Social Connections
Al-akhad's Instagram, prior to the 2023 invasion, was a vibrant testament to everyday Palestinian life in Gaza. She meticulously documented moments that celebrated fashion, shared culinary treats, and the warmth of social connections. Through her photographs, she offered the world a glimpse into the daily existence of Palestinians, an existence filled with culture and joy despite the backdrop of ongoing violence.
In Her Book, Al-akhad Stressed Preserving and Sharing Palestinian Life Stories to Challenge Media Narratives Depicting Palestinians Merely As Victims
In her book, Al-akhad articulates a profound dedication to preserving and sharing Palestinian life stories. Her goal is to counter the pervasive media narratives that often depict Palestinians solely as victims. Through her written work, she illuminates the multifaceted nature of Palestinian existence, emphasizing their humanity and the rich tapestry of life that persists even in the face of adversity.
Al-akhad's Determination to Maintain Connections in Gaza Highlights Palestinian Resilience and Humanity
Connection With Best Friend in ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Al-akhad's Efforts to Document Life Beyond the Conflict
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a photo essay capturing the everyday joys and resilience in your own community. Start by taking photos of local events, family gatherings, or even routine activities that convey a sense of community spirit. Compile these into a digital album or a physical scrapbook, adding captions that tell the story behind each image, focusing on the positive aspects and the strength of relationships.
- Host a cultural exchange dinner where you and your friends prepare dishes from different backgrounds, including Palestinian cuisine if it interests you. Use this as an opportunity to share stories about the origins of each dish, the memories they evoke, and the cultural significance they hold. This not only broadens your culinary horizons but also fosters a deeper understanding of diverse cultures through the lens of food.
- Start a pen pal or email exchange with someone from a ...
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