Motaz Azaiza, internationally-acclaimed photojournalist, fled Gaza with his wife and young children 21 months ago. New York—where they now call home—was a surprising stop on their trek to Qatar. He has turned his traumatic experiences into an important story, shedding light on the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Yet Azaiza has watched the effects of war become a reality. He still sometimes dreams that he’s running through the streets in a press vest, buildings exploding all around him. These intense nightmares are not just a creative exploration of the mind, they’re a true indicator of his past and war-related trauma.
Now as a New Yorker, Azaiza is in a painful limbo. He continues to be heavily involved in humanitarian work but is still dealing with and trying to understand the pressures of his new role. “My life is worth more now than if I was dead,” he reflects, acknowledging the heavy burden he feels as he seeks to advocate for those still suffering in Gaza.
Azaiza views his work as an intermediary between the devastation in Gaza and the international community. He’s convinced that destiny has singled him out. He is driven to illuminate the truth of his native land to an often unknowing audience that would otherwise remain so. The heartbreaking and horrifying events of October 7 crystallized this calling. Israel’s response to the non-Jewish attackers’ days of bloody carnage created great devastation. His deep, honest documentation of these horrific events gained him a huge social media following. This multifaceted success gained him a great deal of professional respect within the field.
His poignant photograph from October 31, 2023, capturing a woman trapped in a pancaked apartment building in Nuseirat refugee camp, was recognized as one of Time magazine’s top 10 photographs of the year. That photo illustrated the unspeakable, ongoing, daily plight of millions of civilians in Gaza. Above all, it has struck a chord with millions of people around the world. As Azaiza reflects on his rise to prominence, he admits that the violence he experienced forced him down this path: “I always wanted to be a photographer, but if violence hadn’t beaten a path to my door, then I would never have sought it out.”
Even with all his success, Azaiza is still haunted by deep emotional scars. He remembers getting anonymous death threats days before departing Gaza and having lost thousands of hometown friends to the war. “This eats you from the inside, makes your heart tight, makes your stomach not able to eat, makes you overthink,” he admits. Each of these feelings loom over him as he tries to figure out his new life so far away from home.
Azaiza recently started a foundation to bring aid to those in Gaza. Like any public display our goal is to raise much needed funds for Palestinians suffering and in need. The organization will help supply critical resources such as food, clean water, blankets, and shelter—essentials that remain scarce for many. For Azaiza, this initiative is about continuing to change lives and save lives. In just a few days he’s raised $60 million by working with artists and other aid organizations to broaden his reach.
With more than 15 million followers on Instagram, Azaiza has emerged as one of the most significant voices speaking to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. His new platform gives him the opportunity to raise awareness over the continuing plight of those labouring under the martyrdom of his native land. Through all this advocacy and activism, he still longs to experience a regular flow of life as well as peace himself. “This is the feeling that people want me to feel,” he states, reflecting on the expectations placed upon him as a representative of those still in danger.
Now Azaiza looks ahead to the day when he can go back to his home and see it flourish. One day, he hopes to have a house by the ocean. However, he is haunted by uncertainty: “What kind of life would I be returning to?” This question will not be far from his mind. As he struggles to reconcile his desire for community with the harsh realities of conflict, he becomes consumed by anger and confusion.
