Awarded One Young World's Journalist of the Year (2024), 22-year old Plestia Alaqad has been a leading voice during the Israeli Genocide on Gaza. With over 4 million followers tracking her fearless frontline coverage on Instagram, Plestia’s work has been spotlighted by global heavyweights like Al Jazeera, The New York Times, BBC, and The Washington Post.
Graduating as the top student in New Media and Journalism from Eastern Mediterranean University, she’s now advancing her expertise with a Master’s at the American University of Beirut. Beyond journalism, she is also a vocal advocate for Palestine, taking the stage at high-profile forums like the World Government Summit and the One Billion Summit.
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.
Looking ahead, Plestia aspires to establish herself as a globally recognized author through her upcoming debut memoir, "Eyes of Gaza".