Noor Harazeen (born 1989) is a Palestinian journalist and filmmaker who gained attention for her coverage of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war as CGTN's correspondent in Gaza.[1][2]

Noor Harazeen
Born1989 (age 34–35)
Cairo, Egypt
EducationAl-Azhar University
OccupationJournalist
EmployerCGTN
Known forCoverage of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war

Career

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Early life and education

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Harazeen was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1989, and moved to Dubai, UAE with her parents at an early age.[3] The family remained in Dubai until 2006, when they moved to Gaza.[4]

In 2008, Harazeen began studying English education at Al-Azhar University in Gaza and started working as a reporter for Al-Etejah in 2012.[5] She graduated from Al-Azhar University in 2013.[6]

In 2014, Harazeen began working as a reporter for CGTN.[2] She has also worked for TeleSUR, CCTV, and AJ+.

Political activism

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Harazeen has expressed her support for the BDS Movement.[6]

In 2012, she met PFLP member Leila Khaled and wrote on her Facebook page "With the Amazing Laila Khalid, The PLFP Resistance fighter Who hijacked ‘ TWA Flight 840 ‘ on its way from Rome to Athens".[6]

Several of Harazeen's family members were part of the militant organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), including her uncle Majed Al-Harazeen, who was killed in a 2007 air strike.[7]

2023 Israel-Hamas war

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At 6:30 am on 7 October 2023, Harazeen heard the sound of rockets being fired from Gaza.[3]

When Israel's military urged residents to evacuate northern Gaza, Harazeen decided to relocate to southern Gaza with her husband and two children.[2] She asked her parents to evacuate with her, but they refused to come, as they feared a second Nakba.[4] However, Harazeen was reunited with her parents several weeks later.[2]

During the war, Harazeen mainly reported from a hospital, focusing on the children who were brought into the hospital.[4] She described 15 October as one of her most challenging days, as she witnessed children with missing limbs and heads being brought into the hospital.[4]

By early November, she had 100,000 followers on Instagram, which was attributed to her ability to speak English.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Al-Hlou, Yousur; Nikolov, Nikolay (9 November 2023). "The War in Gaza Is Also Unfolding on Instagram". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Ms. Harazeen, 34
  2. ^ a b c d "Gaza reporter: It's more than a job for me". CGTN. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Serhan, Yasmeen; Rajvanshi, Astha; Gordon, Anna; Vick, Karl (20 October 2023). "'Our Death Is Pending.' Stories of Loss and Grief From Gaza". TIME. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Al-Hlou, Yousur; Nikolov, Nikolay (9 November 2023). "The War in Gaza Is Also Unfolding on Instagram". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  5. ^ "TV reporter's struggle in hijab". World Hijab Day. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Noor Harazeen". Canary Mission. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  7. ^ al-Mughrabi, Nidal (18 December 2007). "Israeli air strike kills four Gaza militants". Reuters. Retrieved 1 January 2024.