The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
Until the beginning of October, Motaz Azaiza was just another budding photographer on social media with a few followers. Today, he is one of the most popular digital journalists depicting the ground reality of what is happening in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas conflict rages on. Azaiza’s updates are keenly followed by over 7 million people around the world.
The photographer, who works for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees, is based in Gaza and has been posting about relief operations, bombing and death. The most watched video on his Instagram profile is one of him carrying two babies covered in blood and dust to the hospital.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“I have no words for you that is why I have risked my life to show you everything I’ve found [and] everything I am seeing,” he said in a video posted in collaboration with UNRWA on Instagram on Tuesday morning. “Every moment I capture is for you, for the world to take action.”
He then urged his viewers to donate to Palestine.
Azaiza's videos show the aftermath of the ongoing conflict. Some of his followers have said that he is their most trusted resource to learn more about the conflict.
“The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check up on you and the rest of the amazing journalists. We are praying all the time. Bless you - your work is remarkable and is making a difference,” wrote one.
Another admitted that he panics when he doesn’t see from Azaiza for several hours.
Early on Tuesday morning, Azaiza posted on Instagram stories about how he was woken up from his sleep by his mother’s phone call that his neighbour’s home had been bombed. “I am really worried to go there and to see what happened to my street, my house and my neighbour,” he said. “I miss the good mornings.”
His subsequent videos show heartbreaking glimpses of people digging out dead bodies and critically injured people from the rubble.
In addition to the bombing, Azaiza also depicts the day-to-day difficulties and small joys of Palestinians in Gaza. On Monday, he posted stories about how people rush to charge their phones when power is restored at any given place for a few hours.
He has also posted videos of a young child dancing in a school that had been converted into refugee camp, in a rare moment of joy amidst the death and destruction
Azaiza has often expressed how he is afraid for his life, including in the video he posted on Tuesday. “Every second I feel less sure that I will survive,” he said.
Last week, he posted a video of himself walking with the caption: “After all (that) is going on..I don’t feel like I’m going to make it to the end, so please forgive me.”
Apart from Azaiza, there are several other content creators on the ground in Gaza, who are communicating in real time about what is unfolding in the besieged city.
Plestia, who lives in the city, has been posting regular updates. On Monday, she posted an interview with Dr Ghasan Abu Sitta from a local hospital, saying that the medical team had received over 400 wounded people in 24 hours. “These 400 have completely overwhelmed an already drowning health system,” said the doctor. “We have run out of almost everything.”
PICU nurse Yousef Mema is another social media user who has been posting regularly about the ongoing crisis. He often updates live about bombing and shelling in his area.
ALSO READ:
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
This time around, Trump wants the Senate to give up that gatekeeping role and allow him to make 'recess appointments'
world3 days ago
Police allege the offences took place between 2001 and 2019 against 8 victims; the youngest was 17 at the time of the offence
world4 days ago
The two countries have a mutual defence treaty dating back to 1951, which could be invoked if either side came under attack, including in the South China Sea
world4 days ago
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger on Narendra Modi in Abuja on Sunday
world4 days ago
The titleholder's winning answer focused on using each individual's strengths
world5 days ago
The suspects would be interrogated jointly with the Shin Bet internal security agency, police said
world5 days ago
The attack took place at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology in Jiangsu province
world5 days ago