Update: Poet Mosab Abu Toha Released by Israeli Army in Gaza
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 — Multiple sources announced Tuesday afternoon that the Palestinian poet and essayist Mosab Abu Toha, who had been kidnapped by the Israeli Army in Gaza as he was fleeing bombardment with his family, had been released and was with his family.
Mosab Abu Toha has been freed by Israeli soldiers and is with his family in Gaza.
We will report more details as soon as we have them. Thank you to everyone for their advocacy.
CEASEFIRE NOW! https://t.co/2qIou8ADB6
— City Lights Books (@CityLightsBooks) November 21, 2023
His brother Hamza Abu Toha added in a statement on Twitter that he had been advised by the US embassy to head for the Rafah crossing when he was taken by the army. After that, his whereabouts were unknown.
However, a massive solidarity campaign seems to have secured his release.
As writer Abdalhadi Alijla noted on Twitter, “Last month, he [Mosab Abu Toha] was in the USA on a tour. He has been recognized with several awards, including the Palestine Book Award 2022. He also received the Arrowsmith Press Award, was a finalist for the American Book Award 2022, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Additionally, he received the Before Columbus American Award.” He also recently won the Derek Walcott Prize for his collection Things You May Find Hidden In My Ear.
Also read: