An Israeli airstrike killed Walaa al-Faranji and her husband Ahmed Salama [Screengrab/X]
Tributes are pouring in for a well-known Gaza author and artist who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday morning along with her husband.
Walaa al-Faranji was well known in the Strip for her fashion designs and photography as well as her writing which many people say captured the pain and plight of Palestinians since Israel launched its war on the besieged enclave.
The killing of al-Faranji and her husband Ahmed Salama was confirmed by local Palestinian media and Al Jazeera journalists on the ground. The airstrike targeted their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Al-Faranji regularly shared parts of her life amidst the war on her Instagram account with her 97,000 followers.
In one video, she describes feeling “lucky” at finding nice clothing and a cake to be able to celebrate her son’s birthday, something she says she wasn’t able to do since the start of the war.
In other videos, she documented her experience living amidst Israeli shelling, food shortages and destruction of homes.
She also owned a brand called Fashion Room by Walaa, where she sold occasion dresses and worked for a well-known gift shop called “Surprise” in Gaza City.
In many of her posts, al-Faranji can be seen sporting traditional Palestinian embroidery, known as tatreez and showcased creative projects she worked on.
After she was killed, many people re-shared a video of al-Faranji talking about the difficulties Palestinians face amidst ongoing Israeli bombardment.
“…All I know is that since 7 October we have been running, displaced, running to look for medical treatment, to escape bombs we are running even while we are sitting still,” she says in the video.
She discusses how even prior to the war, she found it difficult to go about life after graduating, but always found opportunities and prayed that she would be able to continue to do so amidst Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
Online, activists and other people who knew her paid tribute to her and remembered her work.
“Walaa Al-Afarnaji was more than an artist she was a visionary. Even amidst the war, she launched initiatives and projects to uplift and support the youth. After 445 days of relentless struggle, Israel killed her today” one comment read.
“I knew Walaa Al-Afranji for many years. She had a wonderful way with words, refined manners, exquisite taste, and a soul that found peace only when she created something to bring happiness to your heart—be it a gift, a design, or an idea. I shared her and our dear friend Nada Abu Medyen’s joy when they released their book, Mazaaj Mursal” another person wrote.
The killing of the couple comes as Israel has continued to strike areas around the Strip, with at least 13 killed in pre-dawn attacks.
Israel has continued to impose a siege on the north and attack hospitals, despite international organisations calling for a ceasefire and for emergency aid to be allowed in amid famine concerns.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 45,338 Palestinians and wounded 107,764 since 7 October 2023. The war on the besieged enclave has levelled entire neighbourhoods and plunged the Strip into a deep humanitarian crisis.
