Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, renowned for his courageous reporting during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, recently shared a noteworthy milestone on his Instagram story. Azaiza disclosed that his Instagram following has surpassed that of President Joe Biden. With over 17.4 million followers, Azaiza has exceeded Biden’s 17.2 million on the Meta-owned platform.
GQ Middle East acknowledged Azaiza as the “Man of the Year” for his impactful coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Originally facing challenges as a Palestinian photographer dealing with high unemployment rates in Gaza, Azaiza turned to Instagram to showcase daily life in the region. Despite constant threats due to the prevailing violence, his passion for photography persevered.
Azaiza, in response to the adversity, expressed his unwavering commitment: “No one is safe, nowhere is safe, and fear is everywhere. Either I stay at home or I go outside. Why should I stay at home? I have to stand up and show the world the truth through the camera lens,” documenting the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Motaz, the photographer, not only captures the harsh reality of Gaza through his lens but also emerges as a global ambassador for Palestinian resilience. His determination underscores the urgency of making the world aware of the imminent plight faced by Palestinians amid actions by Israel.
Hamas Links Release Of Israeli Hostages With Ceasefire In Gaza And Withdrawal Of Troops
Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded a permanent cessation of hostilities before considering the release of hostages held by Gaza-based terrorists. Hamas also demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza before considering the release of Israeli hostages. Despite ongoing discussions in Cairo for a potential truce, little headway seemed to be made.
According to a Hamas official, a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza were deemed prerequisites for substantial negotiations regarding a hostage-prisoner exchange, according to the Times of Israel.
