Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian poet, gained posthumous recognition when his poem titled “If I must die” went viral on X just two days after he and his family were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza.
Alareer, a prominent figure among the younger generation of authors in Gaza who opted to convey their narratives in English, was a voice for Gaza, regularly sharing updates, giving interviews, and publishing poetry depicting life in the besieged enclave.
The news of Alareer’s death was confirmed by his friend, Gazan poet Mosab Abu Toha, who expressed disbelief and sorrow on Facebook, reminiscing about their shared moments. Alareer’s poem, posted on his X account, circulated widely on social media as tributes poured in for the talented writer. Despite the tragic circumstances, friends and colleagues honored his memory, emphasizing the immense loss.
Known as a professor of English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he taught subjects such as Shakespeare, Alareer was also a co-founder of the “We are not numbers” project. This initiative paired Gaza-based authors with mentors abroad to assist them in writing stories in English about their experiences. The project produced the book “Gaza Writes Back,” a collection of narratives by young Palestinian authors, and published “Gaza Unsilenced.”
Despite the danger posed by the Israeli ground offensive in October, Alareer chose to remain in northern Gaza, the focal point of the conflict at the time. His assassination was met with widespread grief, with friends and associates expressing the magnitude of the loss. Literary Hub and journalist Ramzy Baroud paid tribute to Alareer, acknowledging his wisdom and lasting impact.
In November, Alareer had shared a poignant poem on X titled “If I must die,” which resonated with tens of thousands of readers. The poem concluded with a powerful declaration: “If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale.
