On 21st of October 2023 Palestinian photographer Mahmoud Bassam posted a photo of a woman hugging the shrouded body of a child, whispering goodbyes to the child. The photo struck a cord with people all over the globe, many saying the image will never leave them.
The woman in the photo was Samia Alatrash, a 26 year old Palestinian journalist. The child in the shroud is her two year old niece Masa. Masa was killed alongside her four year old sister Lina and their parents in an Israeli airstrike on their home.
Samia has said that she wanted to hug Lina as well, but Masa was the only one who remained whole. She flew from the force of the missile over the roof of the neighbour’s house. The rest of the family were found in pieces under the rubble of the house.
It was only after painting the original image of Samia and her reaching out to me on Instagram that I found out who the child she was hugging, and what had happened to them.
The story of Samia’s family is horrific and heart-wrenching and should never have happened. But the world has allowed it to be repeated and repeated every day for the last 6 months. Thousands of families have similar stories.
I followed up the original painting with a painting of Samia how she should be, happy and smiling. And another of Lina alongside Masa.
I wish I could paint the faces of all 16,000 kids who deserved better than this world.
If you would like to help Samia evacuate her remaining family members donations can be made here: Alatrash Family Evacuation and here: Extended Alatrash Family Evacuation
The woman in the photo was Samia Alatrash, a 26 year old Palestinian journalist. The child in the shroud is her two year old niece Masa. Masa was killed alongside her four year old sister Lina and their parents in an Israeli airstrike on their home.
Samia has said that she wanted to hug Lina as well, but Masa was the only one who remained whole. She flew from the force of the missile over the roof of the neighbour’s house. The rest of the family were found in pieces under the rubble of the house.
It was only after painting the original image of Samia and her reaching out to me on Instagram that I found out who the child she was hugging, and what had happened to them.
The story of Samia’s family is horrific and heart-wrenching and should never have happened. But the world has allowed it to be repeated and repeated every day for the last 6 months. Thousands of families have similar stories.
I followed up the original painting with a painting of Samia how she should be, happy and smiling. And another of Lina alongside Masa.
I wish I could paint the faces of all 16,000 kids who deserved better than this world.
If you would like to help Samia evacuate her remaining family members donations can be made here: Alatrash Family Evacuation and here: Extended Alatrash Family Evacuation