With Israeli jet fighters bombarding the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) urged civilians like Alarel to immediately vacate their homes and flee southwards. This left many residents, including Alarel, in a precarious predicament: remain in their homes and risk being killed, or attempt an unprotected escape. In an interview with CNN, Alarel, a 44-year-old author and academic, shared that his family had no other choice but to remain in the north, saying, "It's a typical Palestinian discussion: should we all stay in one place and die together, or should we scatter so at least one of us can survive."[A1]
Alarel was a prominent professor of comparative literature at the Al-Azhar University in Gaza and well-known for his role in documenting the experiences of Gaza residents. According to friends and colleagues, he played a significant part in nurturing young Palestinian authors, helping them write and tell their stories in English.
In an interview conducted by CNN a few weeks prior to his tragic death, Alarel agreed to authorize the use of the footage in the event of his demise. On December 7, Alarel, along with his brother, his sister, and her four children, were killed during an attack in Sharjaya, a town in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Jehad Abusalim, a 35-year-old Washington-based writer and Alarel's friend and colleague. CNN was unable to reach Alarel's family following his death.[A1]
Alareer's contributions extended beyond Gaza. In 2014, he released Gaza Writes Back, a collection of short stories penned by young authors narrating their lives within the confines of the Israeli blockade. He was also an editor of No Silence in Gaza, a 2015 publication featuring essays, photographs, and poems that documented the agony, loss, and resilience of Palestinians amidst the Israeli siege. In 2022, Gaza Light: Light under Fire, an anthology he co-edited, was published. Alareer hailed from Gaza City, studied at University College London and the London School of Oriental and African Studies, and played a significant role in founding the We Are Not Numbers organization, which strives to amplify the voices of young Palestinians living in Gaza and refugee camps worldwide.[A2]
When probed by CNN about the ongoing conflict, Alarel called for the international community to recognize the humanity of the Palestinian people, urging listeners to "feel their pain, imagine their suffering."[A1] He penned a poem titled "If I Must Die" in anticipation of his untimely demise. After his tragic death, Mourning vigils were held in New York and London to honor Alareer's memory.
Alareer's statements, however, did not escape controversy. During an interview with the BBC, he described October's preemptive Palestinian strike, which led to the death of over 1,200 Israelis and injured thousands more, as "legal and moral." The BBC later clarified that they would no longer be featuring Alarel as a commentator.[A1]
As thousands of Palestinians grieve for Alareer, they also grapple with memories of the wars that have wrecked their lives. Alareer, who was born and raised in Shajaya, a residential area on the Eastern fringe of Gaza City, recalled how his family was forced to move to Tel-al-Hawa District after their home was destroyed during the 2014 conflict. His younger brother, Hamada, was just 27 when he was killed during the same conflict.[A1]
"It's something we don't talk about, or even think about, how we outlive these wars." Said Alareer, his voice laden with emotion. "We should count the years, but up until now, we only count the wars we have survived."[A1]
Alareer was outspoken in his criticism of Israel and a frequent source of rhetoric that angered many outside of Gaza. A vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, Alareer was involved in several media interviews to give voice to the Palestinian plight.[A1]
In an interview with the BBC, Alarel spoke in defense of the October attacks and compared them to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during the Holocaust.[A1] The BBC subsequently announced that it would refrain from featuring Alarel as a commentator.[A1]
Alareer was also accused of fabricating evidence to support the Hamas' October 7 sexual assault claims.[A1] CNN reported that survivors had either directly witnessed or held compelling evidence of such assaults.
Recognizing the humanity of the Palestinian people, the international community had long expressed concern for the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of protecting the civilian population and briefer truce extension. Military organizations have condemned Israel's air attacks against an unarmed civilian population in the Gaza Strip as crimes against humanity, while human rights organizations have urged a halt to the violence, emphasizing the obligation to protect civilians in times of conflict.[A1]
"See the humanity of the Palestinian people. Sense their pain. Share in their plight." Alareer implored the international community in an interview with CNN.
References: [A1] (edition.cnn.com) [A2] (www.aussiedlerbote.de)
