Faces of Gaza
Also known as Ghazza
52 people on Faces of Palestine were born in Gaza and its towns and villages.
One of the oldest cities on the Mediterranean: for thousands of years a port and a crossroads of trade between Africa and Asia.
Known for
- The Great Omari Mosque
- Its fishing harbour and long coast
- Jabalia and al-Shati refugee camps
Gaza in pictures
The Great Omari MosquePhoto: Ramez Habboub · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source 
Gaza's beachPhoto: Gisha.org/Mohammed Yousif Azaiza · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source 
The western gate of the Great Omari Mosque, GazaPhoto: Ramez Habboub · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Towns and villages of Gaza
Born in Gaza and around it
52 faces
Sportsb. 1977Ahmad Abu Khater
Pioneering Powerlifting Champion
Rafah, Gaza Strip
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Resistanceb. 1936Ahmad Yassin
Founder of Hamas, influential in Palestinian resistance movement.
Al Joura, Askalan, Palestine
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Palestinian Americansb. 1985Ahmed Moor
Influential Palestinian-American Entrepreneur
Rafah Camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Palestinian Americansb. 1986Amer Shurrab
Resilient Advocate for Gaza
Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
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Sportsb. 1991Bahaa Al Farra
First Olympic runner representing Palestine at London 2012.
Gaza, Palestine
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Educationb. 1948Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri
Education, Leadership, Advocacy, Innovation, and Collaboration
Gaza, Palestine
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Medicineb. 1955Dr. Mona El-Farra
Renowned Medical Doctor and Humanitarian
Khan Younis, Gaza
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Educationb. 1971Dr. Sufyan Tayeh
Distinguished Physicist, Academic Leader, Innovator
Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza
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Science & Techb. 1965Dr. Suleiman M. Baraka
Renowned Astrophysicist, Palestinian Advocate
Abassan, Gaza, Palestine
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Resistanceb. 1988Fadi Abu Salah
Activist, symbolizing resilience and struggle of Palestinian people although his disability.
Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Educationb. 1983Fadi Albatsh
Innovative Electrical Engineer, Scholar, and Imam
Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Resistanceb. 1985Faris Odeh
Iconic symbol of Palestinian resistance during Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Zeitoun quarter, Gaza City, Palestine
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Educationb. 1973Ghada Ageel
Powerful voice against occupation
Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
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Medicineb. 1919Haidar Abdel-Shafi
Stalwart of Palestinian Rights
Gaza, Palestine
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Palestinian Americansb. 1983Hani Almadhoun
Advocate for Palestinian Refugees
Gaza, Palestine
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Artsb. 1976Hani Zurob
Visionary Palestinian Artist
Rafah Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip
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Entrepreneurshipb. 1976Hashim Shawa
Influential Palestinian banking sector leader
Gaza, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1995Hind Khoudary
Fearless Journalist in Gaza
Gaza, Palestine
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Activismb. 1973Husam Said Zomlot
Diplomat, Academic, Fatah Senior Member
Rafah Camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Educationb. 1939Ilham Farah
Pioneering Musician, Cultural Icon, Educator
Gaza, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1997Ismail Al-Ghoul
Courageous Voice of Gaza
Al-Shati Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip
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Philanthropyb. 1903Jamil Hashweh
Visionary Advocate for the Blind
Gaza, Ottoman Empire
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Literatureb. 1989Jehad Abusalim
Voice of Gaza's resilience
Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip
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Sportsb. 1965Khamis Zaqout
Resilient Paralympian; symbol of determination and Palestinian sporting prowess.
Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Artsb. 1940Laila Shawa
Chronicler of Palestinian struggle through innovative, politically charged artistic expressions.
Gaza City, Palestine
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Sportsb. 1987Mahmoud Sarsak
Resilient Palestinian Footballer
Rafah, Gaza Strip
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Youthb. 1994Majd Mashharawi
Innovative, Entrepreneur, Enginee, Environmentalist, Pioneer.
Gaza City, Palestine
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Youthb. 1999Malak Mattar
Pioneering Palestinian Feminist Artist
Gaza, Palestine
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Cinemab. 1990Mohamed Jabaly
Documenting Gaza’s harsh realities
Gaza City, Palestine
Read their story- Medicineb. 1973
Mohammad Abu Salmiya
Dedicated Pediatrician, Resilient Healthcare Leader
Al-Shati Refugee Camp, West Gaza
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Philanthropyb. 1978Mohammed Al Halabi
Humanitarian, Dedicated, Resilient, Committed, Misjudged
Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1984Mohammed Omer
Courageous Voice from Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Artsb. 1999Motaz Hilal Azaiza
Courageously documents Gaza's reality through photography, under perilous conditions.
Deir al-Balah Refugee Camp, Gaza, Palestine
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Literatureb. 1926Muin Bseiso
Defiant poet of Palestinian resistance.
Gaza, Palestine
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Sportsb. 1980Nader al-Masri
Inspirational Palestinian Olympian and long-distance running champion.
Beit Hanoun, Gaza, Palestine
Read their story- Journalismb. 2001
Plestia Alaqad
Courageous Journalism Amidst Gaza War
Gaza, Palestine
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Activismb. 1953Raji Sourani
Human rights lawyer, Palestinian advocate
Gaza, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1972Ramzy Baroud
Influential Journalist, Author, and Academic
Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza, Palestine
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Cinemab. 1962Rashid Masharawi
Influential Palestinian filmmaker, artist, and cultural promoter.
Gaza City, Palestine
Read their story- Youthb. 1997
Razan al-Najjar
Brave Paramedic, Feminist Icon
Khuzaa, near Khan Younis, Palestine
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Entrepreneurshipb. 1984Reem Alfranji
Champion for disability awareness, advocacy
Gaza Strip, Palestine
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Educationb. 1979Refaat Alareer
Inspiring Teacher, Poet, Cultural Contributor
Shuja’iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, Palestine
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Artsb. 1992Rushdi Sarraj
Courageous photojournalist, documented Gaza’s reality under Seige.
Gaza, Palestine
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Sportsb. 1975Saeb Jendeya
Pioneering Palestinian football captain
Gaza, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1978Samer Abudaqa
Dedicated Journalist, Brave Cameraman, Martyr
Gaza, Palestine
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Artsb. 1966Taysir Batniji
Pioneering Palestinian Multimedia Artist
Gaza, Palestine
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Journalismb. 1970Wael Aldahdouh
Journalist and Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief
Gaza, Palestine
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Youthb. 1998Yahya Ashour
Poignant Palestinian Poet
Gaza City, Palestine
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Artsb. 1987Yaser Murtaja
Dedicated journalist, captured the reality of life in Gaza.
Gaza, Palestine
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JournalismYousef Al Helou
Insightful coverage under siege
Gaza, Palestine
Read their story- BOJournalism
Bisan Owda
Journalist, activist, and filmmaker documenting life in Gaza
Beit Hanoun, Gaza, Palestine
Read their story - MALiterature
Mosab Abu Toha
Palestinian poet, essayist, and founder of the Edward Said Library
Gaza, Palestine
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Other cities
- Beersheba41 km · 1 face
- Hebron60 km · 9 faces
- Ramle61 km · 7 faces
- Jaffa67 km · 12 faces
- Bethlehem73 km · 16 faces
- Jerusalem79 km · 71 faces
Know more about Gaza, or spotted something wrong? Tell us. Places are matched from each profile’s birthplace.