URGENT UPDATE: Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad has delivered a powerful message about the dire circumstances in Gaza, just days after a US-led ceasefire deal was announced. Speaking at a Democracy in Colour event in Sydney on Monday night, Ms. Alaqad shared her harrowing experiences covering the ongoing conflict, which she describes as nothing short of a genocide.
At only 22 years old, Alaqad’s first assignment was to report on the devastation in Gaza, where a shocking 67,000 people have died, including 20,000 children, according to the United Nations. She endured 45 days in Gaza before relocating to Australia, driven by a profound sense of responsibility to shed light on the atrocities faced by her people.
“No one teaches you how to report on a genocide or how to survive a genocide,” Alaqad stated. She emphasized the relentless nature of Palestinian journalists, who not only document the horrors but also endure personal losses without time to grieve. “They report on families who lost loved ones, but they don’t have time to even grieve the loved ones that they lost,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll on journalists caught in the crossfire.
The urgent need for awareness comes as the Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 197 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and left over 250 hostages. Alaqad articulated the challenges of navigating a world where “ceasefire” often feels like a fleeting illusion.
“It’s just like a pause, ‘Oh let’s pause killing Palestinians for a couple of days, then we will continue,'” she said. “Ceasefire is like a window of hope, even if it’s just for five seconds or five minutes … we can sleep tonight, knowing that tomorrow we will all wake up, knowing that cousins who are still in Gaza will wake up without missing a hand or a leg.”
Alaqad’s work has not gone unnoticed; she has received numerous accolades, including the One Young World Journalist of the Year and the Lyra McKee Award for Bravery. Her debut novel, The Eyes of Gaza, compiles her poignant diaries from her time in Palestine, offering readers an intimate look into the realities faced by those in conflict zones.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, Alaqad’s urgent call for global awareness resonates louder than ever. Her story is a stark reminder of the human impact behind the headlines, making it essential for the world to stay informed and engaged.
Stay tuned for further updates as developments unfold in this critical situation.
