Just hours ago, we learned of the martyrdom of Palestinian artist, political cartoonist, graphic designer, and author Mahasen Alkhatib. Her work to bring an illustrated perspective to the genocide was an important element in combating censorship and practicing cultural resistance.

Mahasen was a creative, passionate artist who—despite the bitterness of living under the burden of displacement, starvation, and a genocidal machine’s constant bombardment—did not lose her passion, hope, joy, or optimism. She continued to draw, teach courses, and document the genocide with her artwork.

With Jabalia now in its 14th day of a brutal siege and what Palestinians there are describing as an outright extermination campaign amidst a total communications blackout, Mahasen continued to practice her passion amidst the sounds of intense shelling. Her last art piece honored another martyr, Sha’ban Al-Dalou, who we collectively witnessed his martyrdom on our phones earlier this week as a result of a Zionist airstrike on Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. This level of Sumood—to resume her work until her ascension—continues to confirm that Palestinians will never surrender to an occupation that seeks to destroy them.

Her final post challenged the Zionist entity: “My mother says to you not to be too happy with Sinwar’s death. The battle with israel was not with him, it’s with all of us. With all our people. With the owners of the land.” This post likely made her a target, as Zionist forces have a documented history of targeting Palestinian thinkers and artists who speak out.

Her work recognized that October 7th wasn’t just another operation, it was the day “we decided to demand our rights and reclaim a part of our land.” We honor Mahasen, we cherish her work, and we will recall her name at the hour of liberation.

Glory to our martyrs.

United Liberation Front for Palestine
Statement — October 18 2024

You can find her work on her Instagram at @mahasen_ktheeb