Who is Renad Attallah? The 10-year-old inspiring hope with cooking tutorials from war-ridden Gaza

Ten-year-old

Renad Attallah

has become an unexpected beacon of

hope

through her

cooking tutorials

on Instagram, shared from the heart of the

Gaza Strip

. Despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Renad’s cheerful videos showcase creative ways to prepare meals using the limited ingredients available in a conflict-ridden region. “We stay up without caffeine; coffee is just a bonus,” she says while demonstrating her version of iced coffee.

Renad’s tutorials cover a range of dishes, including a burger made with luncheon meat from aid packages, caramelised sugar lollipops, and a honey cake improvised with powdered milk.

Cooking, for her, is a source of comfort. “Whenever I’m sad, I try to make a chocolate mug cake,” she says, using her kitchen as a refuge from the harsh realities of life in Gaza.

Living in a shelter with her mother and sisters, Renad has continued to post videos from their temporary home, often seen unboxing aid packages or whipping up a "

War Sandwich

" using sparse ingredients. In one tutorial, she prepares fish tenders, explaining, “Normally we use fillet fish, but it hasn’t been available for 11 months. I got hold of some un-fresh fish which became available only in the last two months. But for me, I prefer fish more than chicken—what about you?”

Her recipes and captions not only highlight the food but also the emotional weight of life in a conflict zone. In one post, Renad reflects on a vermicelli dish that reminds her of peaceful Friday breakfasts before the war. “Now, there are no studies, no work, and no Friday celebrations—only the vermicelli and the tiredness remain.”

Renad has garnered a global following, using her platform to encourage donations for

feeding families

in Gaza. Her Instagram bio reads, “All profits from my collection go towards feeding the children of

Palestine

,” blending creativity with activism in her quest to bring hope to her community