Plestia Alaqad

Plestia Alaqad is a 22-year-old Palestinian journalist who was born and raised in Gaza, Palestine. Throughout her life, she has witnessed over four Israeli aggressions and reported on the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023. She pursued her studies in New Media and Journalism at Eastern Mediterranean University, graduating at the top of her class in 2022. 

Plestia is renowned for her fearless reporting on the Israeli war on Gaza, with more than 4.5 million people following her coverage on Instagram. Her work has been featured by major international media outlets such as Al Jazeera, the New York Times, the BBC, and the Washington Post. 

In addition to her journalism, Plestia is an activist advocating for Palestine in various academic forums. She has been a keynote speaker at several prestigious summits, including The World Government Summit and the One Billion Summit in the UAE. 

Her inspiring work has resonated particularly with the youth, leading many students to undertake school projects centered around her, viewing her as a symbol of inspiration. Plestia delivered her first TEDx Talk, titled "From Struggles to Strength," virtually at TEDxMase, leaving a lasting impact on the younger generation. She also showcased her poetic talents as the featured poet at the Poetry Grand Slam Bankstown event in Australia, where she presented five original poems. 

Looking ahead, Plestia aspires to establish herself as a globally recognized Palestinian author.