Inspiring 10-Year-Old Chef from Gaza Captivates the World with Her Cooking Skills

In the war-torn streets of Gaza, a young culinary star has emerged, capturing the hearts of many with her delightful cooking videos. Renad Attalah, a 10-year-old girl with a big smile and a love for cooking, has become an internet sensation, spreading hope and joy amidst Israel's brutal occupation. 

"I have always loved cooking but I did not know that I had this skill before the war started," Renad told reporters. 

Her passion for cooking has become a source of hope and joy, not just for herself but for many who follow her. 

Despite facing severe shortages of water and food, Renad continues to create content, battling constant obstacles such as bombardments, warplanes, and the lack of internet access. 

"We have been looking for drinking water in Gaza for three days but there is no clean water," she shares in one of her heartfelt videos. “Bombardment, warplanes, drones and the absence of internet are all obstacles. Whenever the internet service is back, I keep myself busy with my content and posts,” she says. 

Renad tries to post her recipes to social media as often as she can, battling constant obstacles. 

Renad's sister, Nourhan, recalls how it all began: "It was a spur-of-the-moment idea. We were trapped at home since the beginning of the war. We tried to do something to cheer Renad. So, we started randomly filming her cooking. The internet was restored after more than four months, then I posted her first clip and the response was huge." 

Renad has amassed more than half a million followers on Instagram, becoming an instant sensation and an inspiration. Israel’s brutality against Gaza has had devastating effects, with more than 14,000 children killed and tens of thousands more injured. 

Over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe food shortages, with 1.1 million people having completely exhausted their food supplies. Families are surviving on minimal canned goods, with children suffering from acute malnutrition and even eating animal feed. 

Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza through a combination of military attacks, blockades, and restrictions on essential supplies, constituting war crimes and potentially genocide. Human Rights Watch condemned Israel's "abhorrent war crime" of using starvation as a method of warfare. 

Amidst this grim reality, Renad’s cooking videos serve as a form of escapism and a source of happiness for many. “I am trying to escape the agony of war, bring joy to myself, to make me and others happy, and to wash away grief and sadness,” Renad says.