![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSSZJMY7WHI5RECCPLYMOEMNHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=48fa02b717b9dca6413f5ab22bd9288d78de4f5f0bfb38539578d22c199bf54c&width=400&height=225)
Painting calligraphy on this missile, Belal Khaled says, transformed it from a tool of destruction to a piece of art. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW7GUFCJXFAVRAVO63KJ2WJ6YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b64f54021e4ef08d8aad1fef41fe002427fd3583c74dc3ef95ea4e1b2e64143&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work as a photojournalist and calligrapher has taken him all over the world. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLFUXN6ONIZKE44R4OBEWHXLMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e6ef5887b0d29ea79ae91fd23d44529d2d0d66819d26a11a132257283127faf0&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled favours painting on walls and cars to canvas. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDVSITQAES5RV3PAWIZJQNWQ74.jpg?smart=true&auth=13c20dd6b83ea5a152a96896f0058e6db628dfbc784f2ab6771b290da27f4859&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled has spent years developing an idiosyncratic touch to Arabic calligraphy. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/765HSUK7NHOUKABYZ6YQKS7MUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4547790f3be71ab29441e02cac620b6391bde7c05ba435dc1c9709a017e5fe2a&width=400&height=225)
In this 2014 work, Belal Khaled superimposed sketches of horses on a landscape of destruction during the war. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZCYPDNI6SJQXSHEPGS5DEEFZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=caf34d1acec138ea239a7b8f9adbe4ea20e59c5b0452d2c9cb32cec3d3104214&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work focuses on showing how daily life in Gaza goes on in the face of war. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZ43X2GVP7TG4KUCFXDPJQJIL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=07a9a41d48677877dac8284988caecba5df5c1d3f0367cb7e0d6bb48352e1507&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work has been published in 'Time' and 'The Wall Street Journal'. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J2ETQ25DY62TQKO3FGOBEAIWX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5423b7ccaea22739625cde89a4bcc7d75dc99a8bfd7dc29df0903b59eb8c6b46&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled is going to stay in Gaza for the foreseeable future to document the post-war landscape. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QHS7R2BVQWTMN455KROIUSJ4OE.jpg?smart=true&auth=97d69f659c7ed88bb82a7bf728ab754271750fba2c754964a1b20de79713a1f3&width=400&height=225)
In every one of his works as a photojournalist and an artist, Khaled says he is aware of representing Palestine, the struggles of its people and their persistence. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYTYL3TMYQJN7G37AAXP5VAP4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5e58ee00792b178879aa53d8f0a76793da1692946250218b98a7609c834b7e5&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's photographs showcase not only the struggle Palestinians in Gaza face under Israeli occupation, but also the perseverance of positivity and daily life. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DHRXAPHP3IPJZRRUJFNSSM6ONQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5489ba37bbdeaaac7cb633809f195f5ae3a47222dc174c5af9575c0b5bfa0cfe&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled sees a commonality between what he does as an artist and as a photojournalist. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B4N5QGCVWN7XSAHORZAIHEYPMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=64492c4caacab2c4427d1478f04afc4433d8758c903f200ccb51411a9f68ee46&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled says art and photography were instrumental in pulling the curtain back on the daily tragedies unfolding in Palestine. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/73REHKJTC5W6RVTKSEYDQTLCTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1fb9c4c071a4c190424f5e65b29feb9b4386589842b016211a5fdde76fc47f4&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled says that as an artist and photographer, he wants to introduce the world to another side of Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5OUE6HA66AYXMIYMV62AM2T2CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3826370565b7620067c152e38661d5849e5afbb7267034018852f67ab9959c0&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's photographs are as stirring as they are relevant. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XTA62COID6E5CZP2NQL27PNYXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c86ff135099d03ceb82ce93e4c079469f21a3c260f232a68760724434c77582d&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work is a tribute to the resilient face of Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZFPYVS4WPRPVRGS6EM3K5ZOESE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b3c2e4093e2aed2061483a5b90eb667d462c72e9efc589c2f055d21094948ff&width=400&height=225)
A Palestinian child amid the rubble in Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QLLWCA2BJVMJ6Y6JC3G7VDCEXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e3cfca4622d6824ede2cc77890dc7e996675603b62746875b8e52d92f9ddb37&width=400&height=225)
There was a noticeable change in the tone of public reaction against the most recent flare-up of the conflict, Belal Khaled says. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PM3NDA32RJSX4FXQ3BREKJCHPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=be69752f32965a041a1ca95f31c01adb390294c02df078d9ed848e287c27d03a&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled painting calligraphy of Samih Al Qasim's resistance poem on a missile that fell on Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJF5OAKSGVBJUEGVX2GJ2WEQ4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=488067a57d636ca01be37a21b351e83faf568ed028b3f5e5a22dce77fce9e5c3&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled, now based in Turkey, says he will stay in Palestine for some time longer to document the post-war landscape. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSSZJMY7WHI5RECCPLYMOEMNHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=48fa02b717b9dca6413f5ab22bd9288d78de4f5f0bfb38539578d22c199bf54c&width=400&height=225)
Painting calligraphy on this missile, Belal Khaled says, transformed it from a tool of destruction to a piece of art. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW7GUFCJXFAVRAVO63KJ2WJ6YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b64f54021e4ef08d8aad1fef41fe002427fd3583c74dc3ef95ea4e1b2e64143&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work as a photojournalist and calligrapher has taken him all over the world. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLFUXN6ONIZKE44R4OBEWHXLMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e6ef5887b0d29ea79ae91fd23d44529d2d0d66819d26a11a132257283127faf0&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled favours painting on walls and cars to canvas. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDVSITQAES5RV3PAWIZJQNWQ74.jpg?smart=true&auth=13c20dd6b83ea5a152a96896f0058e6db628dfbc784f2ab6771b290da27f4859&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled has spent years developing an idiosyncratic touch to Arabic calligraphy. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/765HSUK7NHOUKABYZ6YQKS7MUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4547790f3be71ab29441e02cac620b6391bde7c05ba435dc1c9709a017e5fe2a&width=400&height=225)
In this 2014 work, Belal Khaled superimposed sketches of horses on a landscape of destruction during the war. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZCYPDNI6SJQXSHEPGS5DEEFZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=caf34d1acec138ea239a7b8f9adbe4ea20e59c5b0452d2c9cb32cec3d3104214&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work focuses on showing how daily life in Gaza goes on in the face of war. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZ43X2GVP7TG4KUCFXDPJQJIL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=07a9a41d48677877dac8284988caecba5df5c1d3f0367cb7e0d6bb48352e1507&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work has been published in 'Time' and 'The Wall Street Journal'. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J2ETQ25DY62TQKO3FGOBEAIWX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5423b7ccaea22739625cde89a4bcc7d75dc99a8bfd7dc29df0903b59eb8c6b46&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled is going to stay in Gaza for the foreseeable future to document the post-war landscape. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QHS7R2BVQWTMN455KROIUSJ4OE.jpg?smart=true&auth=97d69f659c7ed88bb82a7bf728ab754271750fba2c754964a1b20de79713a1f3&width=400&height=225)
In every one of his works as a photojournalist and an artist, Khaled says he is aware of representing Palestine, the struggles of its people and their persistence. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYTYL3TMYQJN7G37AAXP5VAP4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5e58ee00792b178879aa53d8f0a76793da1692946250218b98a7609c834b7e5&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's photographs showcase not only the struggle Palestinians in Gaza face under Israeli occupation, but also the perseverance of positivity and daily life. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DHRXAPHP3IPJZRRUJFNSSM6ONQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5489ba37bbdeaaac7cb633809f195f5ae3a47222dc174c5af9575c0b5bfa0cfe&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled sees a commonality between what he does as an artist and as a photojournalist. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B4N5QGCVWN7XSAHORZAIHEYPMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=64492c4caacab2c4427d1478f04afc4433d8758c903f200ccb51411a9f68ee46&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled says art and photography were instrumental in pulling the curtain back on the daily tragedies unfolding in Palestine. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/73REHKJTC5W6RVTKSEYDQTLCTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1fb9c4c071a4c190424f5e65b29feb9b4386589842b016211a5fdde76fc47f4&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled says that as an artist and photographer, he wants to introduce the world to another side of Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5OUE6HA66AYXMIYMV62AM2T2CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3826370565b7620067c152e38661d5849e5afbb7267034018852f67ab9959c0&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's photographs are as stirring as they are relevant. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XTA62COID6E5CZP2NQL27PNYXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c86ff135099d03ceb82ce93e4c079469f21a3c260f232a68760724434c77582d&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled's work is a tribute to the resilient face of Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZFPYVS4WPRPVRGS6EM3K5ZOESE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b3c2e4093e2aed2061483a5b90eb667d462c72e9efc589c2f055d21094948ff&width=400&height=225)
A Palestinian child amid the rubble in Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QLLWCA2BJVMJ6Y6JC3G7VDCEXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e3cfca4622d6824ede2cc77890dc7e996675603b62746875b8e52d92f9ddb37&width=400&height=225)
There was a noticeable change in the tone of public reaction against the most recent flare-up of the conflict, Belal Khaled says. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PM3NDA32RJSX4FXQ3BREKJCHPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=be69752f32965a041a1ca95f31c01adb390294c02df078d9ed848e287c27d03a&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled painting calligraphy of Samih Al Qasim's resistance poem on a missile that fell on Gaza. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJF5OAKSGVBJUEGVX2GJ2WEQ4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=488067a57d636ca01be37a21b351e83faf568ed028b3f5e5a22dce77fce9e5c3&width=400&height=225)
Belal Khaled, now based in Turkey, says he will stay in Palestine for some time longer to document the post-war landscape. Belal Khaled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSSZJMY7WHI5RECCPLYMOEMNHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=48fa02b717b9dca6413f5ab22bd9288d78de4f5f0bfb38539578d22c199bf54c&width=400&height=225)
Painting calligraphy on this missile, Belal Khaled says, transformed it from a tool of destruction to a piece of art. Belal Khaled
Why Palestinian artist and photojournalist Belal Khaled turned a missile that fell on a Gaza home into art
'I wanted to find life and beauty in the midst of all this death and destruction,' he says of his work
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
13 June, 2021
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