The Eyes of Gaza cover art

The Eyes of Gaza

A Diary of Resilience

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The Eyes of Gaza

By: Plestia Alaqad
Narrated by: Plestia Alaqad
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About this listen

'Please read this joyful, tragic account of life in Gaza' MIRIAM MARGOLYES

'Transforms pain into poetry' RUPI KAUR

In early October 2023, Palestinian Plestia Alaqad was a recent graduate with dreams of becoming a successful journalist. By the end of November, her social media posts depicting daily life in Gaza, amid Israel's deadly invasion and bombardment, would profoundly move millions of people. She would be internationally known as the 'Eyes of Gaza'.

Written as a series of diary extracts, The Eyes of Gaza relates the horrors of her experiences while showcasing the indomitable spirit of the men, women and children who share her communities. From the epicentre of turmoil, while bombs rain around her and devastation grips her people, she is witness to 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 21-year-old woman trying to make her way through a human tragedy, The Eyes of Gaza is a potent reminder of the horrors of violence and a powerful testament to the human spirit. It recounts a harrowing experience, but it is not a heart-breaking lamentation. Rather, it is a deeply intimate love letter to a girl's home: demolished before her eyes, yes, but forever present in her heart.

'Left me both devastated and inspired' MACKLEMORE

©2025 Plestia Alaqad (P)2025 Macmillan Publishers International Limited Art & Literature Israel & Palestine Journalists, Editors & Publishers Middle East Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt

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Critic 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 (Miriam Margolyes, bestselling author of This Much Is True)
The Eyes of Gaza transforms pain into poetry, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the depths of loss, hope and survival (Rupi Kaur, bestselling author of Milk and Honey)
Written with humor, impossible optimism, faith, and—sometimes—despair, Plestia has given the world an intimate glimpse of life—family, friendship, mutual care, trauma, boredom, hunger, thirst, guilt, and more—in the midst of Israel's ongoing genocide against Palestinians (Susan Abulhawa, bestselling author of Mornings in Jenin)
During the first months of the war, I was working, sleeping and eating in the Operating Room. Days would pass before I would step outside. Plestia became our messenger from the outside world. Hers is a unique story, a unique journey (Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah)
All stars
Most relevant  
I always prefer the author to read their own books, being an autobiography it makes listening to the audiobook in Plestia’s voice more memorable.

Well read

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Both gut-wrenching accounts, both more heart-breaking than any fiction. Except one is playing out live, in real-time, in our time. And nothing is being done. People asked how could the world have allowed the Holocaust to happen. Sometime, hopefully when Palestine is free, people will ask how could YOU have allowed the genocide in Gaza to happen. And what will you answer, truthfully?

Listening to Plestia leaves no space for turning a blind eye. What the Palestinian people face on a daily basis - before and after October 7th - and the constant threat of death in any moment is unbearable to conceive. Plestia is remarkably brave. Her vulnerability and insight are inspirational. But most inspirational of all is her pride in her people and her determination to make the world SEE Palestinians: to not just focus on them in relation to death and tragedy but to celebrate them as a people.

Anne Frank’s Diary but in real time

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My heart continues to break for Plestia and the people of Palestine. To hear the emotions and thoughts she had through it all. A day at a time. It truly takes you to another level of heartbreak and injustice. I just truly truly wish it was over, and that this was a diary of something no longer happening. Like Anne Franks diary. It was over. The heartbreaking we are reading/listening to was not ongoing. But what an unfair world where we have a book published, so much shared on social media - yet it is ongoing. No words will ever be enough. Thank you Plestia for opening up your thoughts to the world. May you and all soon see a free Palestine

Rawness that will have you in tears

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