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Portrait of Motaz Hilal Azaiza

Photo: FeaturingDallas · CC BY-SA 4.0

Motaz Hilal Azaiza

Courageously documents Gaza's reality through photography, under perilous conditions.

Born
30 January 1999
Born in
Deir al-Balah Refugee Camp, Gaza, Palestine
Path
Arts
Read Motaz’s storyWatchAsk about Motaz

Why Motaz is here

Azaiza's dedication to revealing the hardships and resilience of Palestinians in Gaza through his photography, despite significant personal risk and losses, has made him a symbol of strength and an agent of change. His work has garnered international attention, highlighting the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its impact on ordinary lives.

Their story

Motaz Azaiza, born in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, in 1999, is a Palestinian photojournalist. When war came to Gaza in October 2023, his photographs and videos of the bombing and its victims reached millions of people around the world.

GQ Middle East named him Man of the Year in 2023, one of his photographs was among Time's top ten of the year, and he was named to the Time 100 in 2024. He left Gaza in January 2024 and has continued to speak for its people.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Motaz’s path.

  1. Born and raised in Deir al-Balah Refugee Camp, Gaza.

  2. Graduated from Al-Azhar University of Gaza in 2021.

  3. Started an Instagram page to share photography of Gaza life, gaining significant traction and followers.

  4. Documented Israel's aggressions in 2014 and 2021, offering a humane perspective on the Palestinian plight.

  5. Experienced personal loss with 15 family members killed in the Israeli occupation airstrike.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Capturing and sharing the daily life and struggles of people in Gaza, especially during conflicts.

    Watch

  2. Gaining over 13 million followers on Instagram, bringing global attention to the situation in Gaza.

  3. Working as a photographer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees.

  4. Being recognized as GQ Middle East's Man of the Year for his courageous work and impact.

  5. Filming the aftermath of an Israeli attack on his family home, a poignant documentation of personal and collective loss.

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Watch

Motaz in interviews, talks and coverage.

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Further reading

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