Palestine is suffering through tough times, with the crisis forever changing the lives of millions in the country. Despite the troubles, Palestinians have shown that they are the most resilient humans on the planet, rallying each other to keep on going in the face of endless adversity.
Over the last year, the world has seen many Palestinian faces step up and make a difference for their fellow humans, spreading awareness about the situation. Here are six of these personalities and how their voices have been heard by the human race.
١. Anas Jamal
Anas Jamal is a Palestinian journalist from Jabalia refugee camp who is associated with Al Jazeera as a news reporter. Over the last year, he has tirelessly worked to report the incidents in Gaza, no matter the dangers and perils of the job. Jamal is the epitome of a journalist of the highest standards and ethics, reporting the truth in spite of obstacles in his way. Indeed, he is the voice of a population who deserve to be heard, and he continues to do his best every single day.
٢. Hamza Chalan
Hamza Chalan is a filmmaker, photographer, and journalist based in Gaza. Since the start of the conflict, he has been reporting incidents in the city from the ground, since news organizations largely refrain from sending correspondents into Gaza. The world relies on local personalities like Chalan to learn about what’s happening in the city.
As such, Chalan has stepped up admirably and has been a prime source of information and awareness for the world. His social media activity is a cruel reminder of the situation – a year ago, his feed was full of Palestinian pictures that showcased the beauty of the country, a stark contrast to the current imagery of suffering and pain.
In these troubles times for Gaza, Chalan continues to be a shining light for his people.
٣. Heba Zagout
The late Heba Zagout was a Palestinian artist and painter born in Gaza’s Al Bureij refugee camp. She took a keen interest in art from a young age, and pursued the discipline as a career. She worked as an art teacher at a primary school in Gaza, and also did work at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
Zagout was famous as an artist who used art as a means of highlighting her Palestinian heritage and as a message to the outside world. Her work was critically acclaimed, with many noting her tireless commitment to using art as a medium of expression and awareness for the rest of the world. She tragically passed away on October 13, 2023, but her legacy lives on.
٤. Hamada Shaqoura
Hamada Shaqoura is a food blogger from Gaza. At a time when Gaza is suffering from a food and hunger crisis, he has taken it upon himself to creating magic out of aid packages, delivering great meals from them for the kids in Gaza. He is currently making sure hundreds of kids in the city are fed.
For his stellar and selfless work, Hamada was named as one of TIME’s 100 most influential rising stars. It is a statement of intent from him – that Palestinians continue to show up in every sphere of life and that they will never leave.
٥. Renad Attallah
Renad Attallah, popularly known as renadfromgaza on Instagram, is a 10-year-old chef and a youth ambassador for Human Concern International Canada. Her passion for cooking at a young age has seen her go viral on social media for her skills and her resilience, especially during a time of peril for Gaza.
Renad’s joyful demeanour and smiles in her videos have inspired and brought joy to many. Her bravery and commitment to doing what she loves shows that there is always hope, even in the bleakest of situations.
٦. Refaat Al Areer
Refaat Alareer was a Palestinian writer, poet, professor, and activist who hailed from the Gaza Strip. He was known as a teacher of literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza and as the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, an organization that paired young Palestinian writers with experienced ones, allowing them to narrate tales of Palestinian resistance.
Refaat’s words in his essays and other collections were both powerful and inspirational, and highlighted the trait of willpower and resilience in his countrypeople. He was a true and honest voice for Gazans and someone whose work perfectly showcased the many layers of life in Palestine. Although he passed away in December 2023, his work lives on as a symbol of hope.
