GAZA, (PIC)
The “Rawasi Foundation for Culture, Arts, and Media” in Gaza mourned the renowned visual artist Mahassen Al-Khatib, who was martyred on Friday evening due to an Israeli airstrike targeting her home in northern Gaza.
In a statement on their official Instagram account, the Foundation noted that the “humanitarian artist left behind a timeless national artistic impact during the ongoing genocide in Gaza, creating digital artworks that resonate with our reality, wounds, and freedom.”
The Foundation reported that the Palestinian artist remained steadfast in northern Gaza, refusing to flee, and participated in significant exhibitions and activities of the Foundation. They regarded her passing as a loss of a creative individual who effectively conveyed her people’s message and cause through her art. After her death, they expressed, “Your colors, Mahassen, will continue to paint the canvas of freedom.”
The young artist described herself on her social media accounts, which have over 100,000 followers, as “steadfast in northern Gaza,” reflecting her refusal to leave Jabalia refugee camp despite the ongoing Israeli military operation for the past 14 days.
In her final works, Mahassen, who specialized in motion graphics and cartoon character design, depicted the internationally recognized massacre known as the “Tent Holocaust,” which resulted in the martyrdom of at least three individuals, including the young Palestinian Shaaban Al-Dalu, amid fierce clashes and heavy bombardment in the camp.
Her last post on Facebook gained widespread attention following the news of her death, where she wrote, “My mother tells you not to rejoice in the death of Al-Sinwar, because Israel’s battle is not with him, but with an entire people and landowners.”
Her sister, Anwar Al-Khatib, reported on Facebook that contact was completely lost with their family in northern Gaza, expressing her fears for their safety.
The hashtag #Mahassen_AlKhatib quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter), with activists, bloggers, and several artists and writers sharing tributes, quotes, and her impactful artworks.
Palestinian photographer Tamer Hammam tweeted, “Mahassen’s last drawing was posted 20 hours ago while she was besieged with her family and hundreds of families in Jabalia, she continued to resist until her last breath.” He added, “She was a creative and practical artist; we accomplished dozens of works together during my time in visual production.”
Palestinian medical student Ezzedine Lulu stated on X that the artist chose to paint him before being besieged in Jabalia, emphasizing that she never tired of using her art to convey their voice during the war despite difficult circumstances. “Mahassen was patient and steadfast; she was not just a number.”
Influencer Ahmed Hijazi also paid tribute to her after her martyrdom, writing on Instagram, “May Allah grant you paradise, you and all the martyrs. How much you endured, suffered, and were wronged. To your spirit, fragrance, and the gardens of bliss.”
Blogger Mohamed Saeed wrote, “Martyr Mahassen Al-Khatib captured the moment flour arrived at their home after months of hunger and eating tree leaves, as well as the arrival of the first chicken for her entire family after prolonged shortages. She remained steadfast in Jabalia, did not flee, and was martyred due to heavy bombardment; remember her in your prayers.”
Blogger Mustafa Mahmoud expressed his admiration for Mahassen’s art, noting that she worked to convey the Palestinian people’s voice in her unique way. Another blogger, Mohamed Al-Jarfi, called for her last drawing to be shared widely.
For months, Mohassen Al-Khatib dedicated her Instagram account to highlighting the suffering of the people of Gaza and the displaced through her drawings and artworks, bringing joy to children’s faces, and capturing doctors, journalists, and photographers during the war.