Motaz Azaiza is a 24-year-old Palestinian photojournalist from the Gaza Strip, who has become a global sensation for documenting the harsh realities of the Gaza-Israel conflict on social media. Azaiza’s work has been praised for its courage, authenticity, and impact, as he has shown the devastating effects of the war on the people, especially the children, of his homeland. Azaiza has also been recognized as the Man of the Year by GQ Middle East magazine, and one of his photographs was listed among Time’s top 10 photos of 2023.
Early Life and Education
Motaz Azaiza was born on January 30, 1999, and raised in the Deir al-Balah Camp in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip. He grew up in a large and close-knit family, with eight brothers and parents Usama and Marwa el-Khoudary. Azaiza developed a passion for photography at a young age, and used his camera to capture the beauty and resilience of his people and culture, despite the hardships and challenges they faced under the Israeli blockade and occupation.
Motaz Azaiza attended Al-Azhar University in Gaza, where he graduated in 2021 with a degree in English Language and Literature. He chose this field of study to improve his communication skills and broaden his horizons. He also worked as a Gaza content producer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of Palestinian refugees in the region.
Motaz Azaiza Wiki/Bio
| Name | Motaz Hilal Azaiza |
| Born | January 30, 1999 |
| Age | 24 years (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Deir al-Balah Camp, Gaza Strip, State of Palestine |
| Occupation | Photojournalist |
| Employer | UNRWA |
| Known for | Documenting the Gaza-Israel conflict on social media |
| Awards | GQ Middle East Man of the Year 2023, Time Top 10 Photos of 2023 |
| Social media | Instagram: @motaz_azaiza, X: @motazazaizagaza |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Ethnicity | Arab |
| Religion | Islam |
| Social Media Links | Facebook: MotazAzayza Instagram: motaz_azaiza Wikipedia: Motaz_Azaiza |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Photojournalism
Motaz Azaiza’s career as a photojournalist began in 2014, when he covered the 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge, which was a 50-day military operation launched by Israel against the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians and 73 Israelis. Azaiza witnessed the horrors of the war firsthand and used his camera to document the scenes of destruction, violence, and suffering that he encountered. He also covered the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis, also known as the 2021 Jerusalem clashes, which was a series of violent confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, sparked by the planned eviction of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
However, Azaiza’s online posts did not gain much attention until the outbreak of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, also known as Operation Guardian of the Walls, which was a 12-day military escalation between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, following a surprise attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023. The Israeli response was a massive aerial bombardment of Gaza, which killed over 25,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and injured tens of thousands more. Azaiza became one of the few sources of information and images from the ground in Gaza, as Israel and Egypt denied access to foreign journalists and media outlets.
Azaiza risked his life to report from the scenes of the airstrikes, often amid the rubble of collapsed buildings and the bodies of the victims. He also showed the daily life of the people in Gaza, their resilience, their hopes, and their fears. He shared his work on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and X, where he amassed millions of followers from around the world, who were captivated by his raw and powerful footage.
Motaz Azaiza’s work has been widely praised and recognized by various media organizations, celebrities, activists, and influencers, who have shared and amplified his voice and his message. He has also received several awards and honors for his photojournalism, such as:
- In November 2023, GQ Middle East named him as their Man of the Year, with editor Ahmad Ali Swaid stating that “he reminds us that no matter who we are or where we’re from, it’s us – ordinary people, men, and women – who have the power to enact that very change that we want to see.”
- In December 2023, Time magazine listed his photograph, “Seeing Her Through My Camera,” among the top 10 photos of 2023. The photograph, which was taken in late October, shows a young girl trapped under rubble at the Al Nusairat refugee camp, after an Israeli airstrike. Azaiza used a low shutter speed on his camera to capture the moment, revealing her in the darkness where the naked eye couldn’t confirm her condition before a Civil Defense rescue worker’s light illuminated her face
- In January 2024, Azaiza appeared on Mehdi Hasan’s final show with MSNBC to discuss the dangers of reporting from Gaza under Israel’s bombardment. He also expressed his gratitude to his followers and supporters, and his hope for peace and justice in his homeland
Personal Life, Girlfriend & Relationship
Motaz Azaiza’s personal life has been deeply affected by the war and the occupation. On October 11, 2023, just four days after the start of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, at least 15 of Azaiza’s relatives, including his parents, his brothers, and his cousins, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Deir al-Balah Camp, where he lived. Azaiza shared the tragic news on his social media accounts, along with photos of his deceased family members and parts of his younger cousins. He also posted a video of himself crying and screaming, saying “They killed my family, they killed my family.”
Despite the immense grief and trauma, Azaiza continued his work as a photojournalist, saying that he wanted to honor his family’s memory and show the world the truth about what was happening in Gaza. He also received an outpouring of sympathy and support from his followers and fans, who expressed their condolences and admiration for his courage and strength.
On January 23, 2024, Motaz Azaiza announced his decision to evacuate from Gaza, saying that he had to do so for many reasons that he did not disclose. He posted a video of himself saying goodbye to his colleagues and friends, and taking off his press vest, which he said was the last time he would wear it. He also thanked his followers and asked them to pray for Gaza. He boarded a Qatari military aircraft at Egypt’s El Arish International Airport, and headed to Qatar, where he said he hoped to return soon and help rebuild Gaza.
Motaz Azaiza is married, but he has not revealed much information about his wife or his marital status. He has also not disclosed any details about his religious beliefs or political views, although he has expressed his support for the Palestinian cause and his opposition to the Israeli occupation and aggression.
Net worth
There is no reliable information about Azaiza’s net worth or income sources. However, one website estimates his net worth to be between $80K and $85K. He is currently employed by UNRWA, the United Nations agency that provides humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of Palestinian refugees in the region. He may also earn some income from his social media platforms, such as Instagram and X, where he has millions of followers.
Height, Weight & Physical Stats
There is no official information about Motaz Azaiza’s height, weight, or physical stats. However, based on his photos and videos, he appears to be tall and slim, with dark hair and blue eyes. One website claims that he is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 75 kg, but this is not verified.
Controversies
Motaz Azaiza has faced some controversies and challenges in his work as a photojournalist. He has been accused by some Israeli and pro-Israeli sources of being biased, propagandist, and sympathetic to Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and many other countries. He has also faced censorship and restrictions on his social media accounts, such as Instagram, which temporarily blocked his account in October 2023, allegedly due to a technical error.
He has also risked his life and safety to report from the scenes of the airstrikes, often amid the rubble of collapsed buildings and the bodies of the victims. He has also lost many of his family members and friends in the war, including at least 15 of his relatives who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Deir al-Balah Camp, where he lived.
Nationality, Ethnicity & Religion
Azaiza is a Palestinian, born and raised in the Gaza Strip, which is a part of the State of Palestine, a de jure sovereign state that is recognized by 138 of the 193 United Nations member states, but not by Israel, which occupies and controls most of its territory. He belongs to the Arab ethnic group, which is the majority group in Palestine and the Gaza Strip. He follows Islam, the dominant religion in Palestine and the Gaza Strip, and identifies as a Muslim.
Motaz Azaiza is a remarkable and inspiring photojournalist, who has used his camera and his voice to document the Gaza-Israel conflict and its impact on the Palestinian people. He has faced many challenges and dangers, and has suffered great losses, but he has also achieved great success and recognition for his work. He has become a global phenomenon, a symbol of resistance, and a source of hope for millions of people. He has shown the world the reality of Gaza, the humanity of its people, and the urgency of their situation. He has also shown the world the power of photojournalism, the power of social media, and the power of ordinary people to enact change. He is Motaz Azaiza, and this is his story.
