Palestinian journalist Bisan wins Emmy Award for her report on Gaza

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda has won an Emmy Award for her news feature story, “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” on Al Jazeera. The documentary captured her journey of displacement and suffering amidst the Israeli military offensive.

Nominated in the “Outstanding Hard News Feature Story” category, Bisan faced criticism from an Israeli organisation, which challenged her nomination, accusing her of links to a terrorist group.

However, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) rejected these accusations, finding no evidence of Bisan’s involvement in any offensive activities.

Bisan Owda regularly shares updates from Gaza through short videos on her social media, depicting how Palestinians are surviving in makeshift camps, surrounded by violence and facing severe shortages of food and water.

The Palestinian journalist rose to international prominence for her raw and authentic reporting from the enclave, even as she herself was displaced after her home was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes.

Taking to Instagram, Bisan expressed her feelings about receiving the prestigious award, stating, “It is not a time for celebration though. The genocide is ongoing.”

“This award is an important and well-deserved recognition, but it comes at a heavy human cost,” she added.

Bisan further stated that while Palestinians continue to document their suffering for the world to see, international organisations have failed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.

Palestinians have endured Israeli occupation for seven decades, with 750,000 Palestinians forcibly displaced from their homes in 1948 — an event known as the 'Nakba.' 

The current catastrophe is even more severe than the previous Nakba, which forced 1.5 million Palestinians to leave Gaza.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least 41,252 with more than 95,497 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.