In 2013, Assaf was named a goodwill ambassador for peace by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

"[7] Before his role on the television show he was attending Gaza City's Palestine University majoring in media and public relations.

[8] He entered the public view in 2000 during a popular local television program where he called in and sang a nationalist song to the host's praise.

His voice and appearance have drawn comparisons to Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez, which has garnered Assaf both fame and controversy.

[13] On 22 June, Assaf was declared the winner of Arab Idol, winning the most votes and coming ahead of two other competitors, Ahmed Gamal and Farah Youssef, from Egypt and Syria, respectively.

[12][14] Massive celebrations by Palestinians ensued after the announcement of his victory, including festivities held on the streets of Gaza City, East Jerusalem,[12] Nablus,[15] Ramallah, Bethlehem, Khan Yunis, Nazareth,[16] Lebanon and Jordan, And when his professional career as an artist began after the title of Arab Idol, he was accompanied by Awtar Band led by The Maestro Yacoub Al-Atrash in Arab and international festivals since then.

Board member of Gaza Association for Culture and Arts Jamal Abu Qumsan stated Assaf "has struck a chord with Palestinians by singing classic Arabic songs that deal with issues other than war and struggle ... To many here, that kind of music offers them a sense of stability" amid constantly unstable circumstances due to the conflict with Israel and intra-Palestinian strife.

The Guardian published an article titled "Arab Idol favourite Mohammed Assaf carries hopes of Palestinians into final".

[19] Post his widely expected win, Al Jazeera English interviewed him in Doha, Qatar, during his tour,[20] and dedicated an entire episode of the programme Inside Story detailing Assaf's journey through Arab Idol.

"[21] In May 2023, his 2015 Track 'Ana Dammi Falastini' (My Blood is Palestinian), was removed from Streaming Platforms Spotify and Apple Music which led to a huge public uproar online.

[22] Assaf told The New Arab's Arabic-language site that he received an email from Spotify saying his song "Ana Dammi Falastini" was removed under the pretence of "inciting against Israel.

Assaf condemned the ongoing Israeli occupation of West Bank and the poor living conditions in the Gaza Strip.

[8] He is highly popular in the Palestinian territories, where the Washington Post notes that the "streets of Gaza empty out" when the show goes on air on Fridays and Saturdays.

[26] Signalling a shift in attitude, a Gaza-based Hamas MP, Yahya Mousa, lauded Assaf and referred to him the "ambassador for Palestinian art.