What does it mean to bear witness?
Join award-winning Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad as she shares her powerful memoir The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience, documenting her first-hand experiences during Israel's devastating incursion into Gaza in late 2023.
In early October 2023, Plestia was a recent graduate with dreams of becoming a successful journalist. By the end of November, she would be internationally known as the 'Eyes of Gaza'. Millions of people would be profoundly moved by her social media posts depicting daily life in Gaza amid Israel’s deadly invasion and bombardment.
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.
Join Plestia alongside media presenter and writer, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, for this extraordinary evening as they discuss Plestia’s journey from student to internationally recognized journalist and BBC's 100 Women honoree. Through raw honesty and vulnerability, they will offer a deeply intimate portrait of Plestia’s homeland—demolished before her eyes, yet forever present in her heart.
This event provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from those who have lived through the destruction of Gaza, whose unflinching dispatches have offered the world an unfiltered glimpse into the harrowing realities of life under siege. Her words will leave you devasted and inspired, moved by the strength found in community, the unwavering spirit of her people, and the urgent need for collective liberation.
“The Eyes of Gaza transforms pain into poetry, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the depths of loss, hope and survival.” Rupi Kaur author of Milk and Honey

The ‘stream and book’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of The Eyes of Gaza (RRP £) deliverable to any UK or international address.
The event will initially be broadcast on 29 April at 6.30pm UK time. It will be available to view up to two weeks after the event has ended and can be accessed Worldwide. If you live in a time zone that does not suit the initial broadcast time you can watch it at any point after the initial showing for two weeks.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].