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Who Will Tell My Story?: A Gaza Diary
A moving account of life in Palestine in the wake of the events of October 7th.
'Who Will Tell My Story? finds beauty and grace amongst the rubble while never shying away from the brutal realities of living through such relentless and cruel oppression.' NIKESH SHUKLA
It was a sleepless night full of tears and fear . . . I am not sure - if I make it out alive - if I will still possess what makes me, me. And I will I be there in the future, or will I be someone to be remembered in a diary or over a cup of tea by a friend after I am gone?
Who Will Tell My Story? presents an ordinary existence interrupted by unfathomably seismic and unjust events. On the ground during the first months of the assault on Gaza following the events of 7 October, the author of this diary - first published in The Guardian - maps out the physical and psychological terrain of a life under siege.
Traversing the bombed ruins of his country, we see him as he searches for foodstuffs and power to charge devices, maintaining contact with the outside world, checking in with his friends and family along the way; we see his heart swing between despair and faith, fear and optimism, his mind imagining different futures and confronting the brutal truth of his present.
Shining a light on the fate of all those living through war and occupation, Who Will Tell My Story? conveys with astonishing clarity how seeds of hope might linger amid the most trying of times.
'Who Will Tell My Story? finds beauty and grace amongst the rubble while never shying away from the brutal realities of living through such relentless and cruel oppression.' NIKESH SHUKLA
It was a sleepless night full of tears and fear . . . I am not sure - if I make it out alive - if I will still possess what makes me, me. And I will I be there in the future, or will I be someone to be remembered in a diary or over a cup of tea by a friend after I am gone?
Who Will Tell My Story? presents an ordinary existence interrupted by unfathomably seismic and unjust events. On the ground during the first months of the assault on Gaza following the events of 7 October, the author of this diary - first published in The Guardian - maps out the physical and psychological terrain of a life under siege.
Traversing the bombed ruins of his country, we see him as he searches for foodstuffs and power to charge devices, maintaining contact with the outside world, checking in with his friends and family along the way; we see his heart swing between despair and faith, fear and optimism, his mind imagining different futures and confronting the brutal truth of his present.
Shining a light on the fate of all those living through war and occupation, Who Will Tell My Story? conveys with astonishing clarity how seeds of hope might linger amid the most trying of times.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published July 17, 2025
30 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Anonymous
791k books3,369 followersBooks can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:
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* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
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Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 26, 2025
The book provides an insightful look into daily life in Gaza, and I can only imagine that the situation has worsened significantly since it was written in 2023. However, I long to see a book by a Gaza writer who is not secular. Most English-language books by Palestinians tend to be secular, which makes it difficult to grasp the true essence of Palestinian resilience. As a result, these books often focus more on complaints than on the beauty of their strong faith in Allah, which is likely stronger than that of many Muslims today—Allah knows best.
September 4, 2025
gut wrenching. free palestine forever 🇵🇸♥️
July 28, 2025
A day to day telling of life in Gaza after October 7. It reveals the struggle, displacement, loss, etc., as one can imagine but also brings to light the hope, sense of community, care and love that still exists.
August 27, 2025
— written by an anonymous Palestinian man, it runs from 7th October 2023 until 19th February 2024. As you'd expect, it is a grim read but reading this book feels like an act of listening. Listening is the least we can do.
October 17, 2025
listened via audio
August 15, 2025
I had tears in my eyes reading and finishing this book. It is heartbreaking, harrowing and beautiful. This author documents the desperate struggle to survive after Oct 7th, the numerous displacements and daily exhaustive searches for basics. He writes of his feelings of loss, grief and dehumanisation. But also love, hope, cats and community.
Everyone should read this book. It's not a book about the bigger situation or however you might describe it. It is a diary, and as such it gives a voice to the very people we must keep in our hearts and minds throughout all of this.
The author has decided to remain anonymous for his own safety and is now out of Gaza. I wish him all the best and to tell him he is loved, even by those he has never met.
Everyone should read this book. It's not a book about the bigger situation or however you might describe it. It is a diary, and as such it gives a voice to the very people we must keep in our hearts and minds throughout all of this.
The author has decided to remain anonymous for his own safety and is now out of Gaza. I wish him all the best and to tell him he is loved, even by those he has never met.
December 16, 2025
(71/2025) 4/5🌟 Memoir/Autobiography (Non-Fiction) | 284 pages
“𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣, 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚.”
It didn’t start on October 7th, 2023.
It started way beyond that.
Since 1948, the Palestinians have endured the evil, the massacre, the displacement, the pain that probably nobody in this world could have ever explained in plain words.
This is a harrowing account of how the people of Gaza endure, until now, when their birthplace fell under siege. They are scared, sad, frustrated, angry, in grief and let alone, confused too.
This is not actually a whole book because it is an account of diary entries, written by an anonymous Palestinian who came from Gaza. The entries started on the event of 7 October 2023, where many of us believed when it all started. The writer woke up in the morning of 7th October 2023 hopefully because he had a tennis session appointment with a friend only for the news to go around that there was a “situation” in Gaza.
And, that was how it all began.
News after news of evacuation orders where they sleep at nights in terror.
In a blink of an eye, they are unable to communicate, to eat, to drink, to go to school, to read and learn, and perhaps even to breathe. They have to leave their homes, to be separated from their loved ones, and most probably say their last goodbyes to each other.
The displacement began with people from the north having to move down further into the city, or the south. Despite even being in the midst of despair, the Palestinians try their very best to accomodate those who are evacuating by inviting the evacuees into their homes. The littlest food and water are shared among them, and the “host” families try their very best to ensure their guests are comfortable. Despite their differences in beliefs and religions, they help each other, and I think this was the part that touched my heart the most.
The diary has become a place of solitude for the writer to express his utmost and deepest feelings where the writer filled it up with despair, anger, hopes and dreams. Probably because the writer was so consumed with taking care of everyone around especially the sister, the freedom in writings gave the writer a chance to relieve what has been hidden in the heart - like a safe space. It is understandable being an older sibling sometimes we tend to keep most of our worries at heart on our own.
I can’t help but to visualise those videos I watched on Instagram posted by the Gazans while reading this. It is as if, whatever that the writer described was visualised in my head, one by one - and it is hard for me to do it, I had to stop mid-reading because it was too painful. Can we imagine what they are going through?
The reason why I can’t believe that some of us choose not to say anything about this or to remain neutral despite countless facts, evidence, footages, historical datas that support the Palestinians. This is no longer a religious issue, it is about humanity. What are actually feeling when you watch them say that “The Palestinians deserve to die!”?
The writer had managed to escape the turmoil from homeground by leaving the beloved country and I am sure the writer has valid reasons for it, but the quote I included above, those are the glimmer of hopes that the writer still have for Palestine, especially Gaza. They want to return to a free Gaza. A free Palestine.
If you can’t choose sides, at least, be at the right side of history.
Thank you #timesreads for this review copy, in exchange with my honest personal opinions.
#justreaddontbawang #bookmehnia #2025reads #DecemberReads #DecemberTBRs #bookstagrammalaysia #bookstagrammy #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bibliophile #bibliophilemy #bookish #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersofinstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookworm #whowilltellmystory #agazadiary
“𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣, 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚.”
It didn’t start on October 7th, 2023.
It started way beyond that.
Since 1948, the Palestinians have endured the evil, the massacre, the displacement, the pain that probably nobody in this world could have ever explained in plain words.
This is a harrowing account of how the people of Gaza endure, until now, when their birthplace fell under siege. They are scared, sad, frustrated, angry, in grief and let alone, confused too.
This is not actually a whole book because it is an account of diary entries, written by an anonymous Palestinian who came from Gaza. The entries started on the event of 7 October 2023, where many of us believed when it all started. The writer woke up in the morning of 7th October 2023 hopefully because he had a tennis session appointment with a friend only for the news to go around that there was a “situation” in Gaza.
And, that was how it all began.
News after news of evacuation orders where they sleep at nights in terror.
In a blink of an eye, they are unable to communicate, to eat, to drink, to go to school, to read and learn, and perhaps even to breathe. They have to leave their homes, to be separated from their loved ones, and most probably say their last goodbyes to each other.
The displacement began with people from the north having to move down further into the city, or the south. Despite even being in the midst of despair, the Palestinians try their very best to accomodate those who are evacuating by inviting the evacuees into their homes. The littlest food and water are shared among them, and the “host” families try their very best to ensure their guests are comfortable. Despite their differences in beliefs and religions, they help each other, and I think this was the part that touched my heart the most.
The diary has become a place of solitude for the writer to express his utmost and deepest feelings where the writer filled it up with despair, anger, hopes and dreams. Probably because the writer was so consumed with taking care of everyone around especially the sister, the freedom in writings gave the writer a chance to relieve what has been hidden in the heart - like a safe space. It is understandable being an older sibling sometimes we tend to keep most of our worries at heart on our own.
I can’t help but to visualise those videos I watched on Instagram posted by the Gazans while reading this. It is as if, whatever that the writer described was visualised in my head, one by one - and it is hard for me to do it, I had to stop mid-reading because it was too painful. Can we imagine what they are going through?
The reason why I can’t believe that some of us choose not to say anything about this or to remain neutral despite countless facts, evidence, footages, historical datas that support the Palestinians. This is no longer a religious issue, it is about humanity. What are actually feeling when you watch them say that “The Palestinians deserve to die!”?
The writer had managed to escape the turmoil from homeground by leaving the beloved country and I am sure the writer has valid reasons for it, but the quote I included above, those are the glimmer of hopes that the writer still have for Palestine, especially Gaza. They want to return to a free Gaza. A free Palestine.
If you can’t choose sides, at least, be at the right side of history.
Thank you #timesreads for this review copy, in exchange with my honest personal opinions.
#justreaddontbawang #bookmehnia #2025reads #DecemberReads #DecemberTBRs #bookstagrammalaysia #bookstagrammy #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bibliophile #bibliophilemy #bookish #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersofinstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookworm #whowilltellmystory #agazadiary
October 29, 2025
FREE FREE PALESTINE.
This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever read in my life. Reading about war in space or fantasy is one thing, but reading about real people and real loss is something else entirely. It’s heartbreaking to think that after almost 100 years, this is still happening.
This is one of those books that quietly breaks your heart and then tries to piece it back together with fragments of love and humanity. Every page feels heavy with fear and injustice, yet somehow, within all that darkness, there’s light.
What makes this book so inspiring isn’t just the pain it reveals but the kindness that shines through. Even when hope feels impossible, the people of Gaza still look out for one another, opening their homes, sharing their food, protecting their children, and even caring for their cats. (As an animal lover, that part resonated so deeply with me it made me sob my heart out.)
It’s those quiet, defiant moments of love blooming in the middle of suffering that make this diary both devastating and deeply beautiful.
This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever read in my life. Reading about war in space or fantasy is one thing, but reading about real people and real loss is something else entirely. It’s heartbreaking to think that after almost 100 years, this is still happening.
This is one of those books that quietly breaks your heart and then tries to piece it back together with fragments of love and humanity. Every page feels heavy with fear and injustice, yet somehow, within all that darkness, there’s light.
What makes this book so inspiring isn’t just the pain it reveals but the kindness that shines through. Even when hope feels impossible, the people of Gaza still look out for one another, opening their homes, sharing their food, protecting their children, and even caring for their cats. (As an animal lover, that part resonated so deeply with me it made me sob my heart out.)
It’s those quiet, defiant moments of love blooming in the middle of suffering that make this diary both devastating and deeply beautiful.
December 9, 2025
heart breaking, hard to read, horrific but it's a must to read the story of people under genocide. This will make you cry and
July 29, 2025
Who Will Tell My Story?: A Gaza Diary, attributed to an anonymous author, gains immense power precisely from this choice. By withholding the author's name, the diary entries transcend a single individual's experience, becoming a universal voice for any resident of Gaza. This anonymity fosters an immediate and powerful connection, allowing us to see countless faces in the words, each story a potential reflection of the countless lives lived under extraordinary circumstances.
This work, alongside others like We Are Not Numbers: The Voices of Gaza’s Youth. The Sunday Times Bestseller, is critically important in shifting our perspective. In an era where media often reduces the people of Gaza to mere statistics, these books force us to confront their humanity. They remind us that behind the headlines are individuals with dreams, humor, personal hobbies, and deep familial bonds. They are people who love to travel, create memories, and aspire to lives just as rich and fulfilling as our own, despite facing unimaginable hardships.
While it's easy to feel helpless in the face of such profound challenges, perhaps one of the most significant contributions we can make is simply to remember them and share their stories. For those who have lost their lives, giving voice to their experiences ensures their memory endures, honoring them not as anonymous casualties, but as vibrant individuals whose lives mattered.
In the midst of such profound human suffering, I can't help but hope that even through the severe starvation and ongoing tragedy, someone remembers to feed the cats and dogs in Gaza.
This work, alongside others like We Are Not Numbers: The Voices of Gaza’s Youth. The Sunday Times Bestseller, is critically important in shifting our perspective. In an era where media often reduces the people of Gaza to mere statistics, these books force us to confront their humanity. They remind us that behind the headlines are individuals with dreams, humor, personal hobbies, and deep familial bonds. They are people who love to travel, create memories, and aspire to lives just as rich and fulfilling as our own, despite facing unimaginable hardships.
While it's easy to feel helpless in the face of such profound challenges, perhaps one of the most significant contributions we can make is simply to remember them and share their stories. For those who have lost their lives, giving voice to their experiences ensures their memory endures, honoring them not as anonymous casualties, but as vibrant individuals whose lives mattered.
In the midst of such profound human suffering, I can't help but hope that even through the severe starvation and ongoing tragedy, someone remembers to feed the cats and dogs in Gaza.
November 20, 2025
Imagine having your right to communicate, enjoy a nice breakfast, go to school, dream about your future, or even take a simple bath denied for decades. On top of that, imagine being shot at, bombed, losing your home, and not knowing where to go. In Gaza, even the dead are not safe in their graves. From an unknown writer, a Gazan now living in Egypt, #WhoWillTellMyStory A Gaza Diary captures the suffering of Palestinians who have been killed and oppressed throughout the occupation, especially from 2023 onwards.
The 3️⃣ Things:
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔. 🇵🇸
The people of Gaza show a strength we can all learn from. Even while living with hate and fear every day, they still try to stay grateful and make the best out of impossible situations. They often go days without food, water, electricity, or basic supplies. Reading their stories made me feel humbled, because even with so little, many of them still welcome and help others.
💔𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔.
I was especially moved by the story of a man who wanted to send each of his children to a different relative’s home so that if one family was bombed, at least some of his children would survive... Despite everything, the narrator and his sister still tried to save stray cats they came across, and even the fish they kept.
📖𝑨 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅.
Just like The Diary of Anne Frank became essential reading around the world, this book is also a must read. It is one of many reminders of how badly humanity has failed to protect the oppressed, like the Palestinians and people in other conflict zones. War has never brought anything good.
✍🏻: anonymous
🖨️: @faberbooks (Guardian Faber)
📄: 284
⭐️: 4/5
Thank you, miss Putri @putrifariza and @times.reads for giving me this precious copy. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸 #parareads #timesreads #diary #historicalbooks #bookstagram
The 3️⃣ Things:
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔. 🇵🇸
The people of Gaza show a strength we can all learn from. Even while living with hate and fear every day, they still try to stay grateful and make the best out of impossible situations. They often go days without food, water, electricity, or basic supplies. Reading their stories made me feel humbled, because even with so little, many of them still welcome and help others.
💔𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔.
I was especially moved by the story of a man who wanted to send each of his children to a different relative’s home so that if one family was bombed, at least some of his children would survive... Despite everything, the narrator and his sister still tried to save stray cats they came across, and even the fish they kept.
📖𝑨 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅.
Just like The Diary of Anne Frank became essential reading around the world, this book is also a must read. It is one of many reminders of how badly humanity has failed to protect the oppressed, like the Palestinians and people in other conflict zones. War has never brought anything good.
✍🏻: anonymous
🖨️: @faberbooks (Guardian Faber)
📄: 284
⭐️: 4/5
Thank you, miss Putri @putrifariza and @times.reads for giving me this precious copy. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸 #parareads #timesreads #diary #historicalbooks #bookstagram
November 6, 2025
It is important that people know about the fear and deprivation suffered by civilians in war zones. This is perhaps a little repetitive and the brother and sister are uncommonly fortunate compared to most.
October 18, 2025
Personal account of the daily horrors of life in Gaza during the genocide.
November 11, 2025
Really great perspective!
December 7, 2025
Heart-rending
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews