Voices of Resistance: Diaries of Genocide

by Batool Abu Akleen, Nahil Mohana, Ala'a Obaid

"An extraordinary book. Voices of Resistance opens a rare window into the reality of young women living under brutal their loss, terror, and grief; their hope, ingenuity, curiosity, and humour as well as despair. These testimonials come straight from hell, and yet—read them, you’ll see—they are radiant with undiminished life."—Olivia Laing

For two years, the world has witnessed image after devastating image of Israel’s genocide in videos, photos, and Instagram reels showing blanket bombardment, cities in ruin, and entire families pulled from the rubble of their homes. Such enormity can be difficult to process, but behind each image lie ordinary lives full of hope, love, and community.

In these diaries, four Gazan women—Batool Abu Akleen, Sondos Sabra, Nahil Mohana, and Ala’a Obaid—offer first-hand accounts of Israeli airstrikes, forced displacement, and engineered famine. These atrocities are documented alongside the everyday resilience of from the neighbour who fashions an ashtray from the shrapnel of an Israeli missile, to the street vendor who donates his last egg for a child’s birthday cake, to the community of displaced people who pool their resources to stage a traditional wedding. Even when homeless, under fire, forced to bury loved ones, or thrown at the mercy of a devastated health system, the writers of these diaries never abandon their humanity, their individuality, or their belief in the future of Gaza.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE WRITERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Genres: Nonfiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Razan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I didn’t know that someone could fall so far into the jaws of death and still climb out alive.”

“In disbelief, we check that our limbs are still in place, that our souls have survived.”

“Sidi Nazir learned a lesson from his displacement: wherever you find yourself, plant seeds. What you plant today, your children will eat tomorrow… Before my grandfather died, he taught all of his grandchildren how to farm. Of course, we grew up and earned our degrees in medicine, engineering and law. But after so many years, the most valuable lesson turns out to be his: plant seeds, plant seeds, plant seeds.”

“One is fortified by those one loves.”

“Our grandparents remembered their fields and we remember our houses. What will our grandchildren [have lost and] remember?”

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Diary excerpts from four Gazan women reveal life amid genocide — from giving birth standing in a hospital bathroom to scavenging for a single egg to celebrate a child’s birthday. These harrowing accounts offer a raw glimpse into survival under forced displacement and engineered famine.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down until I finished it, though it was an incredibly emotionally heavy read. This is the devastating and powerful account of four women navigating and surviving through the hell of Israel's occupation. Each woman's unique voice is resistance and I feel as much shame as I do awe when reading this. Each diary is so well written, and at times funny, which makes it all the more enotional. Thanks to them for sharing these experiences, which are a gruelling testimony of what's happening.

[Lauren McCourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastating read