# Israel KILLED Four of This Book’s Authors Before It Was Even Published Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3mBEOs-0m4 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/d3mBEOs-0m4 Generated: 2025-10-16T14:35:36.807+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Co-founder Pam Bailey confirms that the book "We Are Not Numbers," which features stories from young Gazans, was inspired by the need to humanize Palestinians beyond casualty statistics, especially after the October 7th attacks, motivating the project's expansion to include more writers and greater outreach. **Key Points:** - The book "We Are Not Numbers" features 1,323 raw, uncut stories from 323 young Palestinians in Gaza, mentored by professionals. - Co-founders Ahmed Alnaouq and Pam Bailey started the project in 2015, eight years prior to the October 7th events. - Ahmed Alnaouq notes that his brother, Mahmoud, a writer and resistance fighter, was killed by an Israeli missile in October 2023, along with 21 family members. - Pam Bailey states that the project's success has exceeded their initial expectations, demonstrating the power of their stories to counter dehumanization. - Bailey emphasizes that the stories are essential because they show the humanity of Palestinians, contrasting with the narrative often presented by mainstream media. - The book is dedicated to Mahmoud Alnaouq and three other young writers killed by Israel before publication. - The non-violent resistance approach promoted by the book is crucial because Palestinians have always opposed the occupation, even before Hamas's rise. ![Screenshot at 0:15: Mehdi Hasan holds up the book 'We Are Not Numbers' which features an endorsement quote on the front cover by Taha Hassic Coats.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-00-15.png) **Context:** This video features an interview on 'Mehdi Unfiltered' with Pam Bailey, social-justice activist and co-founder of the 'We Are Not Numbers' project, and Ahmed Alnaouq, journalist and co-founder, discussing the book 'We Are Not Numbers: The Voices of Gaza's Youth.' The discussion centers on the motivation behind collecting and sharing personal stories from young Palestinians in Gaza, particularly in light of recent violence and the ongoing occupation. ## Detailed Analysis The interview focuses on the book "We Are Not Numbers," a collection of essays, poems, and stories written by young Palestinians in Gaza, mentored by professional writers and journalists like Ahmed Alnaouq and Pam Bailey. The project began in 2015, with the explicit goal of humanizing Palestinians beyond the statistics often reported in the media, especially following the October 7th attacks. Pam Bailey notes that the project's success has been overwhelming, far exceeding their initial hopes, and she feels a moral imperative to continue sharing these stories to counter the dehumanizing narratives from mainstream media and political actors who frame Palestinians solely as terrorists or victims. Ahmed Alnaouq reveals the profound personal cost of the conflict, stating that his brother, Mahmoud Alnaouq, a writer who inspired the project, was killed along with 21 other family members in an Israeli missile strike in October 2023, emphasizing that those killed were civilians, not militants. Alnaouq commits to continuing to speak out about his family's story and the wider Palestinian experience, asserting that non-violent resistance storytelling is the best way to resist the occupation and the dehumanization that precedes violence. ### Book Origin and Scope - 'We Are Not Numbers' started in 2015 - Mentored by professionals like Ahmed Alnaouq and Pam Bailey - Features 1,323 stories from 323 young Gazans - Dedicated to four writers killed by Israel, including Ahmed's brother Mahmoud. ### Motivation Behind the Project - Countering the narrative that dehumanizes Palestinians as mere statistics or terrorists - Demonstrating the humanity of those living under occupation and blockade - Showing the reality of life, joy, and struggle in Gaza. ### Impact and Current Status - Project success exceeded expectations, with many readers relating to the stories - The writers are often afraid of being targeted for sharing their stories - The book serves as an answer to the conflict narrative. ### Call to Action - Readers must support independent journalism via Zeteo.com - Readers must share the book and its stories to raise awareness. ![Screenshot at 0:00: Ahmed Alnaouq speaking from a room decorated with framed artwork, introducing the topic of counting losses.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 0:12: Mehdi Hasan interviews Pam Bailey at the studio desk with the book visible.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-00-12.png) ![Screenshot at 0:16: Pam Bailey discusses the human element of the stories, emphasizing they are not just numbers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-00-16.png) ![Screenshot at 0:29: Ahmed Alnaouq introduces the context of the ongoing conflict and the need for storytelling.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-00-29.png) ![Screenshot at 1:00: Mehdi Hasan introduces Ahmed Alnaouq and Pam Bailey, highlighting their work on Gaza-related narratives.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-01-00.png) ![Screenshot at 1:30: A visual display of the book cover, 'We Are Not Numbers: The Voices of Gaza's Youth,' featuring the authors' names.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-01-30.png) ![Screenshot at 2:09: A three-way split screen showing Mehdi Hasan, Pam Bailey, and Ahmed Alnaouq during the interview.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-02-09.png) ![Screenshot at 2:34: Ahmed Alnaouq shares the personal loss of 21 family members in the October 7th aftermath, including his brother Mahmoud.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-02-34.png) ![Screenshot at 2:58: Ahmed Alnaouq explains that the book's purpose is to immortalize the stories of those who suffered.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-02-58.png) ![Screenshot at 5:58: Pam Bailey explains the bittersweet nature of the book's success given the ongoing violence.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d3mBEOs-0m4/00-05-58.png)