Description
Description
A powerful graphic novel from an acclaimed Palestinian political cartoonist that archives often-censored digital footage of the realities in Gaza into enduring works of art. Mohammad Sabaaneh, a Palestinian artist based in the West Bank, bears witness to genocide in 30 Seconds from Gaza--a graphic reflection that captures the horror of experiencing mass atrocity through 30-second video snippets sent to his phone in real time after October 7th, 2025. Through his stark black, white, and gray linocut cartoons, Sabaaneh transforms fleeting, often-censored digital footage into enduring works of art. Internationally acclaimed for his bold political commentary, Sabaaneh documents the brutal realities of life under Israeli occupation. His powerful illustrations confront the atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, exposing the violence of apartheid and settler colonialism while honoring the unwavering resilience of the Palestinian people. After being shadow-banned on social media, and losing 15 years of content due to censorship, Sabaaneh began drawing from the very footage most at risk of being deleted. Each image in this book is an act of defiance--an effort to preserve a visual history that corporations and occupiers seek to erase. 30 Seconds from Gaza: Diary of Genocide is both a devastating artistic archive and a courageous testament to Palestinian sumud (steadfastness). In a world where injustice is too often silenced, Sabaaneh's work ensures the truth is seen--and remembered.
About the Author
About the Author
Mohammad Sabaaneh is an award-winning cartoonist and a former political prisoner in Palestine. He is the author of White and Black and Power Born of Dreams and is a Middle East representative for the Cartoonists Rights Network International. His work has been published in the Middle East Monitor, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Al-Hayat al-Jadida and many others. He teaches art at the Arab American University of Palestine.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"In this arresting collection of political cartoons, Sabaaneh plucks heart-stopping moments from the tumult of the war in Gaza ... [His] cartoons vibrate with sorrow and rage, though some land with an unexpected gentleness when capturing families' attempts to comfort each other ... By freezing these moments so beautifully in time, Sabaaneh refuses to let readers look away."--Publishers Weekly
"Mohammad Sabaaneh is a master ... Each of Mohammad Sabaaneh's powerful drawings is like a gut punch that gets straight to the essence of the stark reality of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation. This is how an artist resists."--Joe Sacco, author and illustrator of Palestine and Footnotes in Gaza
"Despite working at a very complicated crossroads of ideology and political pressures, Mohammad Sabaaneh continues to produce sharp, incisive cartoons. His tenacity and courage is an inspiration for cartoonists around the world."--Matt Wuerker, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist at Politico
"If you want to get a smart Palestinian's view of what's happening in the Middle East, you can't do better than look at Mohammad Sabaaneh's cartoons--they tell you more than words can say."--Victor Navasky, publisher emeritus, The Nation
"What makes Mohammad's place in the world of cartooning so extraordinary is that he performs his art in the world's hottest of political hotspots. There is no place on the planet where the skins are thinner or the fuses shorter than in the Israel/Palestinian conflict. Mohammad bravely uses his great talents as a cartoonist to work in the midst of this political minefield. Mohammad has earned the respect and admiration of many in the global cartoon community. I salute Mohammad and his cartoon efforts."--KAL, editorial cartoonist, The Economist
"An eloquent work on the ravages of settler colonialism. Every line in this collection achingly cries 'Palestine, Palestine!' This book is a must for all who care about peace and justice."--Khalil Bendib, author of Mission Accomplished: Wicked Cartoons by America's Most Wanted Political Cartoonist
"These cartoons are a powerful call to action, both to the international community and to the Palestinian people, serving as a reminder that at the end of the day it is we--Palestinians around the world--who will be the masters of our own destiny."--Leila Abdelrazaq, author of Baddawi
"Mohammad Sabaaneh is one of the most talented Palestinian cartoonists working today. His haunting figures show us a vivid Palestinian perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, protest, injustice and human rights."--Tjeerd Royaards, cartoonist & editor-in-chief of Cartoon Movement
"Mohammad's brutal cartoons about a brutal occupation prompts readers to think about things from a different perspective. A fresh point of view can change the world, and no one's trying harder to do that than Mohammad Sabaaneh."--Ted Rall, nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist and columnist
"Mohammad's Cubist drawings in this collection occupy a unique place in memory, making them hard to forget. Each drawing is tremendously chaotic, demanding the viewer's attention and reflection, with the palpable anguish portrayed lingering long after, while the simple, plaintive captions appeal directly to humanity."--The New Arab
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Olive Branch Press
Pub date:
2025-08-19
Length:
170 pages

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