Motaz Hilal Azaiza was born on January 30, 1999, in the Gaza Strip, a region he would later become a prominent voice for through his photojournalism.
Growing up in Deir al-Balah camp, Azaiza attended al-Azhar University in Gaza, graduating with a degree in English studies in 2021. He is currently employed by UNRWA, a position that has given him a unique perspective on life in the Gaza Strip.
Before the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Azaiza's online publications primarily focused on daily life in the Gaza Strip. While he had covered previous conflicts, including the 2014 Gaza War and the 2021 Israeli-Palestinian crisis, his social media accounts had not received widespread attention.
However, with the outbreak of the 2023 war, Azaiza's reporting gained international attention. As one of the few foreign journalists in the Gaza Strip, he provided a critical perspective on the conflict, sharing his experiences on social media.
On October 11, 2023, tragedy struck when at least fifteen members of Azaiza's family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Deir al-Balah camp. The attack only served to heighten Azaiza's profile, with his Instagram account growing to 17.5 million followers by December 27, 2023.
As the war continued, Azaiza found himself facing threats and attacks from the Israeli army, leading him to announce on January 23, 2024, that he was being evacuated to Qatar. In a poignant publication, Azaiza removed his reporter's vest, expressing his desire to return to his homeland as soon as possible.
Azaiza's bravery and dedication to his craft have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In November 2023, GQ Middle East magazine named him Man of the Year, while the Normandy region in France awarded him the "Freedom Prize 2024".
Despite the challenges he has faced, Azaiza remains committed to sharing the stories of those affected by conflict, using his platform to raise awareness and promote understanding.
