Samah Zaher Zaqout graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza. She was one of the best students to graduate from the Faculty of Arts, English literature. After graduation she worked as an English lecturer at the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS).
Samah’s writing has appeared in outlets such as the Electronic Intifada, Politics Today, and Mamamia. She also got the top international on the Substack account where she publishes her pieces. Her writings have been featured in a play performed in the United States and two big events held in Canada, the United States, and Germany. She is a writer with Coastal Lines Press, and her zine won the best zine category at Wellington Zinefest, 2025.
Samah taught English at educational centers, including Community Service and Continuing Education-IUG. She currently works as a content writer, social media manager, and translator at a local institution. She is also an online tutor at Preply Platform, teaching the language to non-native speakers, and .
“I have loved writing since I was in preparatory school,” says Samah. “After entering the Faculty of Arts, English literature, I became more interested in writing. Living in Gaza pushes me to write more and I do believe that writing in Gaza is a specific kind of grief. It makes me remember things I want to forget.”
Current as of January 2026
Once again, we are back to asking ourselves all of the same questions: Should we stay or should we leave? Now or later?
On my third trip to the city, everything felt different—strange, suffocating, and heavy.
For many Gazans, belonging is as much about memory and identity as a place, and the bond remains even when that place is no longer recognizable.
There are no quiet moments after an explosion, only the fear that another bomb is on its way.
The month where seasons change from spring to summer has always been a time for celebrations—but not this year.
