Gaza: The Story of a Genocide is an ideal gift to those sincerely wishing to understand more thoroughly – humanizing enough to give to people hesitant to let go of stories told by western media and radical enough to not dishonour victims by depoliticizing their lives and deaths. 

Edited by Fatima Bhutto and Sonia Faleiro, Gaza: The Story of a Genocide is a harrowing read. Published on October 7th, 2025, it is comprised mostly of accounts written roughly 15 months into the genocide, some of which focus on the years leading up to October 7th, 2023, others analyzing the idea and application of settler colonialism as a concept in the Palestinian case and others read more like gut-wrenching journal entries, such as Mosab Abu Toha’s recountal of his kidnapping in the early months of the genocide. 

For those of us who are not new to the movement but have – as Palestinians at home or in diaspora, or as allies – stood with the cause and followed the events from their first hour, this anthology reveals little new. Don’t get me wrong, that is not critique, but much rather a warning that the carefully selected contributions are quick to rehash some of those earlier feelings, or as we like to call it: a trigger warning might be needed.

My personal highlights were the contributions of teacher Eman Basher and journalist Mariam Barghouti, who, in spite of their differences (Basher taught at an all-girls school and Barghouti has been reporting on resistance in the West Bank), both highlight the vivaciousness of Palestinian life and resistance to occupation in its many facets. It is thanks to them that Palestinians are portrayed not simply as victims in need of humanitarian assistance but striving, complex and dignified people across the entire land of Palestine. 

Another needed contribution is Nina Lakhani’s exploration of ecocide, presenting the case well towards readers less familiar with modern Palestinian history and those we may wish to familiarize by gifting them this book. 

Many thanks to Verso Books for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.