Netizens have been concerned as there have been no updates from Bisan, a Palestinian journalist documenting life amidst Israeli counterattacks in Gaza.

Before October 7, @wizard_bisan1 on Instagram belonged to a young Gazan journalist who shared videos depicting daily life challenges in Gaza, highlighted Palestinian culture, and expressed her passion for travel and zest for life. However, on October 8, the tone shifted dramatically as she posted a somber series of videos featuring slides with white text on a black background.

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In these posts, she conveyed experiences that go beyond what the news reports, emphasizing the tangible impact of living through the war on Gaza. She described waking up with dust from bombings on her face and body, in her eyes, and on her bed, the pervasive smell of gunpowder and dirt. She explained the urgency of sleeping fully dressed with shoes on to save time when bombings occur, as mere seconds can determine fates.

By October 13, the situation became more dire. Bisan posted on top of screenshots depicting crowded streets and evacuation notices, pleading for help because she couldn’t publish videos due to a lack of internet connection. She revealed being in the streets with her family, struggling to find a safe place. She highlighted the challenging conditions, stating that the humanitarian aid zone was located on the border with Egypt and likening the situation to a second NAKBA.

Accounts like @wizard_bisan1 have become essential for those seeking on-the-ground insights into Gaza, especially as challenges to media coverage have arisen. With the United States pressuring Al Jazeera to reduce its coverage and META banning pro-Palestinian Instagram accounts, Bisan’s reporting has become even more crucial. However, the already sparse internet connection in the bombed-out area adds an additional layer of difficulty to her reporting.

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Bisan often begins her videos with the same opening: “Hi, everyone, This is Bisan from Gaza. I’m still alive.” Despite facing challenges, she manages to charge her phone using electricity from generators, but there is a lingering fear that the day will come when they run out of gas.