Gaza Through My Lens with Motaz Azaiza: Sharing Truth, Inspiring Action
Highlights from the 2025 “Gaza Through My Lens with Motaz Azaiza” Speaking and Fundraising Tour
Motaz Azaiza never intended to be the globally-recognized figure he is today. A 26-year old photojournalist from the Gaza strip, Motaz grew up in Gaza and took snapshots of daily life in Gaza on social mediaIn the beginning of 2023, Motaz joined UNRWA USA as a freelance content creator and photographer in Gaza. Through his lens, he brought images of Palestinian life to the American people – not only to showcase the vital work of UNRWA, but also to highlight the joy, love, and resilience of a community living under siege and blockade.
After October 7th, 2023, Motaz began documenting the devastation caused by the unrelenting Israeli military assault on Gaza. His raw, unfiltered coverage offered the world a rare, human perspective on the destruction – and on the unbreakable spirit, or sumud, of Palestine refugees. His work quickly amassed a following of many millions, resonating with people across the globe who were seeking to understand the sheer scale of the devastation and the human toll of such violence.
As journalists in Gaza were repeatedly targeted, Motaz was ultimately forced to flee. Since then he has completed two speaking and fundraising tours across the United States with UNRWA USA, the most recent of which concluded two weeks ago (June 30).
The 2025 Gaza Through My Lens Tour brought Motaz Azaiza to Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. In each city, attendees came in droves – some Palestinian, some long-time allies, and some newly awakened – drawn together by a reverence for the truth and a deep admiration for Motaz’s instinct for storytelling.
An attendee in Minneapolis explained why she chose to come to see Motaz: “We’ve been following Motaz form the beginning of the genocide – to be able to be here and support him as he shares his wounds and his stories is the least we can do – to show and embody our care for the cause and to show him we are here for the people in Palestine.”
In San Francisco, a volunteer photographer explained his generational connection to UNRWA with deep pride: my parents met each other while they worked at UNRWA in Beirut in 1953.” When asked why he takes photos, he said: “Photos are a window into another world, one that many would probably never see. Great photographs go even beyond that and show the people and the humanity of those being photographed.”
Motaz’s photographs have become, for many, some of the most powerful representations of life under siege. They go beyond the pain, beyond the suffering, and beyond the unimaginable destruction to show the humanity of Palestine refugees and bring us together as fellow human beings.
“I wish you could have gotten to know me under different circumstances,” was something that Motaz reiterated in every city he visited.
He spoke to crowds as his own images were displayed behind him. The tour was more than just an opportunity for attendees to meet the face behind the camera. It was an act of collective witnessing, and a small act of resistance against attempts at erasing a people.
“I think the most impactful part about this program is the joy that it showcased,” an attendee in Chicago said.
“This was a really beautiful showcase of humanity and joy and the beauty of Palestine.”
In a time where so much is being lost, voices like Motaz are dignifying. His lens is a gateway for us to try to understand the unimaginable. While this tour has concluded, Motaz Azaiza has left a mark on the thousands of people who came to hear him speak and to support UNRWA and UNRWA USA. It left us all with a responsibility: to keep watching, keep listening, and to never stop telling the truth about Gaza.
That responsibility also calls us to act:
Advocate for the full restoration of US government funding for UNRWA’s life-saving work and for the rights of Palestine refugees.
Share Palestine refugee stories so they are never forgotten.
And, if you’re able, donate to UNRWA USA. The need is urgent, the stakes are high, and your support can help save lives in Gaza.
