Palestinian artist Mahasen al-Khatib has been killed in an Israeli airstrike on the besieged Gaza Strip.
The talented painter, storyboard artist, freelance character designer and digital art mentor, who supported her family through her work, was killed on Saturday evening in an Israeli airstrike that targeted her neighborhood in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
Al-Khatib used her talent to defend and advocate for human rights and raise awareness about the Israeli regime’s war crimes and violations of Palestinians.
“Mahasen was one of the most professional, humble and lovely artists in Gaza,” said Jumana Shahin, a trainee and friend of al-Khatib. “She left a lasting impression on everyone she taught or met.”
“I have never met someone as resilient as her. Even when she would speak about her suffering from starvation and the terrifying sounds of bombings, she did it with a sense of humor,” Shahin said.
Shahin noted that she was told by the Gazan artist that “she wanted to share her knowledge and experiences as much as possible because if she were to be killed, at least her knowledge would live on through others.”
She posted her last work of art on Saturday, depicting the 19-year-old Shaban al-Dalu, who was killed burning to death in the Israeli forces’ bombing of al-Aqsa Hospital a few days earlier.
The artist’s uncle, Hosam, said the continuous and heavy bombardment of northern Gaza has made it impossible to claim and bury the dead artist’s remains.
“We still can’t bury her body, which is at Kamal Adwan Hospital, because of the dangerous situation,” he said.
In the meantime, ambulances and civil defense crews are struggling to reach the area due to heavy Israeli attacks in the past weeks.
The Israeli regime’s genocidal war on helpless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has continued since October 2023. It has claimed the lives of at least 42,519 Gazans and wounded more than 99,637 others.