Bisan Owda returns to Gaza

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda took to Instagram on Saturday to share that she has returned home, though not without some bittersweet emotions accompanying her. "I am back. I am at home. It's burnt," she described in the caption, as she strolled the length of her war-torn home in the reel.

As Bisan stopped by a window, she shook out the Palestinian flag and hung it outside, gazing out in contentment at finally being reunited with her childhood home. "My room of 20 years has vanished, and it's severely damaged. But it is still standing and despite everything ... [I] promise we will rebuild," she vowed in the caption.

The award-winning journalist's resilience touched the hearts of her followers, who keenly offered their support and love in the comments section.

"It makes me so happy to see you smile, back in your own rightful room, in your own house, and on your own land," one user wrote. "I am sobbing with joy, my sweet sister! I'm so happy you're in your home! Alhamdulillah," another prayed. "Please let us help you rebuild it. Please create a campaign. It's the least we can do for you," a user offered.

In September last year, Bisan won an Emmy for her AJ+ documentary It's Bisan from Gaza and I'm Still Alive, as per Al Jazeera. The feature tracks Bisan's survival against war and under the recurring threat of bombardment from Israeli forces. Due to the 27-year-old journalist being in Palestine, the award was received by Supervising Executive Producer of AJ+, Jon Laurence.

"We'd like to thank the Academy for this recognition. This award is testimony to the power of one woman, armed only with an iPhone, who survived almost a year of bombardment," Jon spoke. "We thank you, our journalistic community, for this recognition for Bisan and for the AJ+ team. And we urge you to join us in saying that journalism is not a crime."

The eight-minute documentary is set in the vicinity of the Al Shifa hospital, flanked with tents of displaced Gazans. Bisan documents the regular routine of those who have been forced to evacuate from the safety of their homes, including their struggles with basic necessities like food and water.

"I know that I seem to be energetic and smiling, but it's not the truth," Bisan confesses in the documentary. "We're just trying to be positive because we've felt death hundreds of times, so we appreciate that we are alive until now."