Serendipity: Writing “Where the Olive Trees Grow” and Supporting a Gaza Artist

E. Mark Windle 14 June 2026.

“A perfect storm doesn’t quite describe the Palestinian plight—rather, a cumulative assault through political upheaval, war and population containment.”

It was a few years ago now when I decided to write “The Hundred Year Hunger“. The book’s purpose was to investigate the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza and document its effects on its people through decades of oppression and occupation up to the current escalation in conflict.

Within a month of its publication in 2025, the concern in the humanitarian sector that famine was imminent had become a reality. This was after continued denial by Israeli authorities that malnutrition was an issue.

Today, food insecurity is still classed as high among most of the population in Gaza. At the time of writing, official estimates suggest over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women require treatment for acute malnutrition and associated complications.

An infinite number of unknowns remain regarding Gaza’s future, including its eventual reconstruction. Before that, a true ceasefire—beyond in name only—is required. Aid trucks must also be allowed to freely cross its borders and a committed plan worked through to sustain long-term nutritional welfare and public health. And ultimately, there must be accountability.

A new writing project

My latest work-in-progress continues the central theme of nutritional welfare in Gaza. In “Where the Olive Trees Grow” I place the spotlight on events developing since the publication of the previous book and offer predictions for Gaza’s future public health, based on an analysis of what we know now.

This time, a diverse collection of commentaries will be presented, including an account of the famine of 2025; how politics and conflict have created challenges for delivery of food aid in Gaza in the latest escalation in conflict; humanitarian aid effectiveness (and scandal); and a deep dive into the evidence for genocide specifically from a malnutrition perspective. 

Among today’s talk of genocide accountability and nation complicity in war crimes, there is also that of Palestinian resilience and global solidarity. Ultimately (and as reflected in the title) “Where the Olive Trees Grow” searches for that positivity. While major NGOs wrestle with political barriers to aid delivery on a mass scale, I investigate how small grassroots organisations are actively addressing nutritional concerns at a community level. There will also be an exploration of the potential for establishing improved food security, nutritional care, and public health policy during Gaza’s eventual reconstruction.  

Supporting Gaza artist Laila Kassab

“Where the Olive Trees Grow” is scheduled for completion and release in mid-2027 under my imprint, A Nickel and a Nail. As a freelance writer primarily involved in self-publication, I’m also responsible for managing the practical and aesthetic aspects of bookmaking, including book cover design.

I’d already been admiring Malak Mattar’s art on the cover of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s “When the World Sleeps” when I picked up a copy on its English version release in April. On the very same day and by pure chance I stumbled across similar work by self-taught artist and mother of five, Laila Kassab.

Laila lived through eight months of the war in Gaza before being forced to flee with her children to Egypt, where she is currently based. Her themes are of family, culture and resistance, and her striking and colourful work has reached Palestinian heritage centres and galleries here in the UK and elsewhere.

The Crowdfunder

Seizing the opportunity to utilise her talent for the cover of “Where the Olive Trees Grow” made perfect sense. Within days we connected online. Laila liked the book concept and the fact that I felt her work resonated. Soon we were discussing how I could use and support her work at the same time.

So here we are. Please take a few minutes to visit our crowdfunding page. You’ll get the full story there, be able to see examples of Laila’s work, and discover how you can contribute to the book project. As well as having the satisfaction of knowing that you will be supporting the livelihood of an artist, your donation will also be rewarded with some fine practical tokens of appreciation. To donate, go to the Crowdfunder campaign page at Artwork for Where the Olive Trees Grow.