Jakub Szántó
Jakub Szántó (b. 1977) is a journalist and television reporter. He holds a Doctorate in Modern History from Charles University in Prague. He has covered many international crises for television, focusing primarily on the Middle East and Africa. Szántó is the holder of the Open Society Fund Prague’s Journalism Award (2014) and the Ferdinand Peroutka Award for journalism (2017). Drawing from over two decades of reporting, crowned by five years as a permanent correspondent in the Middle East, the author offers in his two books, Behind the Curtain of War and From Isratine with Love, an unorthodox view of the Israelite and Palestinian peoples– their lifestyle, culture, and history. This year, together with his Czech TV correspondents, he wrote Putin’s War, a unique chronicle of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
One of the best Czech reporters, who is also a historian, comments on the conflict in Gaza
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Story of Gaza
by Czech TV Correspondent Jakub Szántó
March 2025, 336 pages
Available material: English synopsis
A report on the state of the country and its people, directly from the conflict zone
A vivid portrait of one of the world’s most contested places.
From ancient empires and biblical legends to today’s frontline tragedies, Gaza has always stood at history’s crossroads. After October 7, 2023, its name became a global symbol of suffering, resilience, and unresolved conflict.
Award‑winning journalist and historian Jakub Szántó draws on two decades in the Middle East. He blends deep historical research with gripping reportage and intimate human stories. Maps, photographs, and firsthand testimonies bring Gaza’s layered reality to life. Neutral yet compassionate, this book cuts through noise and prejudice with clarity and empathy.
A timely, unforgettable read for anyone seeking to truly understand Gaza.
English promo sheet
