Mahasen Al-Khatib

Mahasen Al-Khateeb (1993 – 18 October 2024) was a Palestinian freelance artist, specialising in illustration and character design. She came to prominence during the Israeli invasion of Gaza. During this difficult period of war, she used visual art to depict the ordeal and horrors undergone during the Israeli military campaign, disseminate the Palestinian cause and advocate for human rights.

Artistic vocation Two weeks before the October 7 attacks in 2023, she invested all her savings in a studio, where she strived to get some professional independence. However, the studio was destroyed in Gaza war. She used whatever income she obtained to support her family. She also provided free online courses for other Palestinians who aspired to progress in artistic creation.

She designed her last work, entitled Tell me what you're feeling when you see anybody burning, in memory of Shaban al-Dalu, a 19-year-old burned to death in the Israeli bombing of al-Aqsa Hospital days earlier.