Ismail Abu Hatab, a 32-year-old photojournalist and filmmaker, was killed on June 30 in an airstrike that hit the Al-Baqa Cafe in Gaza, a popular spot for locals to gather and connect to the internet.
Just a day earlier, he had been engaged in an exchange with his friend Matt Perry, admiring the beauty of their environments through messages and videos.
Perry, based in Chicago, had shared a serene view of Lake Michigan from Montrose Harbor while Abu Hatab responded with a lively video capturing the joy of children at a beach along the Mediterranean Sea.
The cafe was one of the few remaining businesses in the heavily bombarded Gaza Strip and served as a vital space for communication.
Abu Hatab had endured the horrors of Israel’s military actions firsthand. In November 2023, an airstrike caused extensive damage to his office in Al-Ghifari Tower, leaving him unable to walk for 10 months.
Despite the trauma, he opted to stay in Gaza, documenting the resilience of his people and encouraging other creatives through By Palestine, an online platform he co-founded.
Perry, reflecting on their friendship, described Abu Hatab as a person of kindness and optimism, even amidst despair.
In their last conversation, the two discussed organizing a film festival in Chicago alongside an exhibition of Abu Hatab’s work at Walls Turned Sideways, a community art space in East Garfield Park.
Following the tragic events that claimed Abu Hatab’s life, Perry and supporters have resolved to ensure that the exhibition titled “Between Sky and Sea” will proceed as planned, opening on the West Side gallery on July 1 and remaining open through August 23.
The exhibition features approximately 50 photographs and videography by Abu Hatab, presented alongside an installation designed to evoke the feeling of a refugee camp in Gaza.
Audio engineer Tariq Shihadah has created an immersive component that brings to life the sounds of displaced individuals and their tented environments, enhancing the emotional weight of the visual experience.
Each piece of art captures the strength and tenacity of the Palestinian people, with images that reflect their ability to find joy amid destruction.
In one photograph, a boy leaps joyfully into the water, emphasizing the spirited innocence of childhood, while another image portrays two young boys smiling aboard a boat, a kite flying above them against a backdrop of makeshift homes.
Perry, who became acquainted with Abu Hatab through mutual connections in Germany, was captivated by the uniqueness of Abu Hatab’s work, which starkly contrasted with the narratives often portrayed in broader media.
Ahmed Abu Hatab, Ismail’s younger brother who is pursuing a career as a freelance multimedia artist in Germany, expressed certainty that his brother’s legacy will resonate with future generations through exhibitions planned in various cities, including London.
According to Ahmed, Ismail believed in the power of art to bridge understanding and convey truths about Gaza beyond the prevailing focus on conflict.
As he grieved the loss of his brother, Ahmed emphasized that Ismail had improved the world’s perception of Gaza, reinforcing the idea that the region embodies more than just war and suffering.
This sentiment was echoed by Ghada Hamwi, another co-founder of By Palestine, who joined the conversation, expressing hope that Ismail Abu Hatab’s narrative will continue to flourish and touch lives around the globe.
image source from：chicago
