Documenting crimes against humanity has never been more dangerous. Since October 2023, Israel has killed well over 200 journalists covering the war—an average of 13 per month.
Today, MintCast host Mnar Adley is joined by one journalist who both shot to worldwide fame during the attack on Gaza and managed to survive the catastrophe.
Motaz Azaiza is a 26-year-old photojournalist from Gaza. His daily documentation of life under Israeli attack provided a window into what life in Gaza is like. His extraordinary photos garnered him awards, worldwide attention, and millions of followers and admirers, including 17 million on Instagram alone. In 2021, he produced the MintPress News documentary Gaza Fights Back. He is currently finishing a U.S. tour, raising money for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
A genocide is being broadcast live, around the world, for everyone to see. Yet even as Israel kills large numbers of journalists, Azaiza told Adley that more Gazans continue to step up, taking the place of their fallen comrades and finding new inspiration every day. “You don’t have any option,” he explained.
For Azaiza, the feeling of becoming a global celebrity in a time of genocide is a strange one. He has ultimately decided to grasp the opportunity. “I wanted to do something for my home. God gave me the power to reach people. I can influence people in a good way. This is my moment. This is my time. I can fulfill my dream,” he told Adley.
Officially, around 57,000 Gazans have been killed since October 2023. The true number of casualties, however, is unknown and likely much higher, as authorities struggle to cope with the destruction and displacement. All the while, Western nations such as the United States continue to support Israeli actions, providing the weapons, cash and political backing for the attacks to continue. “What is happening is unimaginable,” Azaiza said.
The Israeli blockade continues to starve Gaza, which is suffering through severe food shortages. Azaiza notes that milk is in such short supply that it is only given to pregnant women. As a result, a black market for pregnant women’s urine has emerged, allowing some to beat pregnancy tests and claim the milk.
Yet even queuing for food in Gaza can be a deadly task. Israeli forces regularly fire upon hungry crowds gathering for aid.
Don’t miss this exclusive interview that takes us into the eye of the storm of the genocide.
Feature photo | Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist and activist, freelance journalist, attends the third day of the Web Summit in Doha, Qatar, on February 25, 2025. Noushad Thekkayil | AP
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Mnar Adley is an award-winning journalist and editor and is the founder and director of MintPress News. She is also president and director of the non-profit media organization Behind the Headlines. Adley also co-hosts the MintCast podcast and is a producer and host of the video series Behind The Headlines. Contact Mnar at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @mnarmuh.
