Bisan Owda, born 1997/8 is a Palestinian journalist, activist, and filmmaker recognized for her impactful social media presence and documentary work during the Israel–Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Owda gained international attention for her poignant videos and livestreams documenting the experiences of Palestinian civilians amidst the conflict. Her reports, often starting with the phrase, "I'm still alive," have been widely shared across platforms such as BBC News, Al Jazeera, and ABC News, offering a human perspective on the war's devastating effects. Owda was born and raised in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, where she developed a passion for storytelling, reading, basketball, and astronomy. Her early interests led her to work with various international organizations. She has been a member of UN Women's Youth Gender Innovation Agora Forum, focusing on gender equality, and has collaborated with the European Union on climate change initiatives, even serving as an EU Goodwill Ambassador. Additionally, Owda works for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), contributing to efforts that address critical issues in the region. Beyond her activism, Owda has delved into media production. She produces and hosts a show titled Hakawatia, which explores Palestinian history and culture, aired by Roya TV. She also presented educational content in Palestinian Arabic for the YouTube channel Easy Languages. Her commitment to documenting and sharing the realities of Palestinian life became particularly evident during the May 2021 escalation in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, where she used Instagram to draw global attention to Gaza's conditions. During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Owda's video updates on social media captured the dire situation in Gaza, highlighting the destruction, scarcity of resources, and the daily struggles of civilians. Her firsthand accounts, recorded primarily in English and occasionally in Arabic, offered a stark portrayal of life under siege. Owda's following grew exponentially, reaching 4.1 million by May 2024. Owda's personal circumstances mirrored the broader crisis. After the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ordered evacuations from northern Gaza, Owda and her parents moved to Al-Shifa Hospital, where she continued her reporting. Despite losing her home, office, and equipment to bombings, she persisted, using her phone to document the unfolding tragedy, including the spread of illness among displaced persons and the worsening humanitarian crisis. Her courageous reporting continued despite the hospital's siege by the IDF, which forced her to relocate again, this time to Khan Yunis. In her videos, she described harrowing scenes, including dead bodies on the roads and the desperate plight of fellow refugees. Owda's stark reflections on her fading hope of survival and the ongoing horrors in Gaza resonated deeply with her audience, further amplifying her voice on the global stage. Owda's work has garnered significant recognition. In May 2024, she won a Peabody Award in the News category for her Al Jazeera Media Network show 'It's Bisan from Gaza and I'm Still Alive'. The show also earned an Edward R. Murrow Award for News Series and was nominated for a 2024 News and Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form. In her acceptance speech, delivered via video, Owda dedicated the honor to those protesting in support of Palestine, calling for an end to the genocide and advocating for a free Palestine. Her work has been praised for humanizing the people of Gaza, providing a personal lens through which the world could better understand the conflict's toll. In July 2024, Owda's show received an Emmy nomination, sparking controversy when the pro-Israel nonprofit Creative Community for Peace petitioned for the nomination to be rescinded, alleging Owda's affiliation with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. However, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) upheld the nomination, stating that they found no grounds to overturn the independent journalists' editorial judgment. Al Jazeera defended Owda against these allegations, emphasizing her significant contributions to bringing the realities of Gaza to the world and denouncing efforts to silence her reporting as baseless and dangerous. The network also highlighted the risks faced by journalists in the region, noting that 160 journalists, including three from Al Jazeera, had been killed since the war began. Bisan Owda's work continues to resonate globally, her stories and videos offering an unfiltered glimpse into life in Gaza. She remains a powerful voice advocating for Palestinian rights and continues to inspire international audiences through her unwavering commitment to truth and justice. Her courage and dedication have not only brought her accolades but have also solidified her role as a critical witness to history.

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