NPR's Book of the Day This Palestinian journalist kept a diary as Israeli forces invaded – now it’s a book
Oct 23, 2025
Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad chronicles her harrowing 45 days during the Gaza invasion in her diary, now published as a book. She discusses the stark contrast between life before and after the conflict, sharing insights on the resilience of Gaza's children. Alaqad reflects on the preservation of everyday joys amidst destruction, and how social media shifted from a tool for connection to a source of loss. Her personal stories reveal the profound impact of displacement and the enduring memories of her beloved neighborhood.
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Diary Became A 45-Day Record
- Plestia Al-Akad documented Gaza's daily life on Instagram and in a diary before and during the invasion.
- Those posts and pages became The Eyes of Gaza, a 45-day, on-the-ground record of the assault.
Personal Diary As Collective History
- Al-Akad frames her diary as collective testimony, not just personal memoir.
- She emphasizes Palestinian history beginning long before October 7, notably 1948 and the Nakba.
Childhood Shaped By Fear
- Children in Gaza carry early trauma because their formative years occur amid bombardment.
- Al-Akad notes kids fear the sky and confuse clouds with smoke from strikes.
