What do the concepts of faith and hope, homeland, freedom, life and death mean to Gaza citizens?
First, hope. As someone who is internally displaced in the Gaza Strip, allow me to shed light on the situation here. We have lost hope due to the hardships we endure. However, we do retain great hope in our Lord.
Regarding the concept of life; regrettably, survival in the Gaza Strip has become exceedingly difficult. Living here entails navigating through immense challenges. Tragically, Gaza has transformed into a vast graveyard. Living here means constantly awaiting one’s turn. Life, as we once knew it, has become a distant memory.
Regarding the concept of death, I regret to say that death looms over us at any moment in the Gaza Strip. For instance, as you are sitting and talking right now, you may receive news of the loss of one, two, or three relatives. It’s incredibly challenging for us to bear such news.
As for freedom, I can confidently say that we harbor immense hope that one day we will gain our freedom.
Faith... Faith... Faith... Let me address the mass genocide perpetrated against us in the Gaza Strip. We firmly believe that this will come to an end someday. What we’re going through is our destiny. Faith is a weighty concept, one that comforts us in war.
Do you have a message you want to be communicated to the world?
We delivered our message to the world at the outset of the war on the Gaza Strip. Our message has consistently been this: It’s your silence that has been killing us. Do something. At least be in touch with us.
What do you have to say about the solidarity exhibited by Gaza in the face of this disaster?
Allow me to share how we respond to crises in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict initiated by Israel has persisted for approximately four months now. We’ve employed numerous strategies to confront these crises. We’ve reached a point where we must ration even the most basic necessities, like bread, among many. We’ve been striving to find solutions, but truth be told, it’s been incredibly challenging lately. Our situation is dire, as you can see.
Yet, amidst this adversity, the resilience and unity displayed by the people of Gaza are remarkable. While the rest of the world may find it perplexing, the solidarity within Gaza remains steadfast. Despite the constant bombardment and the apocalyptic scenes that surround us, we stand united. The suffering in Gaza is profound, with every family bearing losses and countless individuals suffering injuries. However, it’s the mutual support among us that sustains our resilience and fortitude in the face of this genocide.
When it comes to sustaining our lives amidst this conflict, it’s evident that this is not just a war waged with missiles; it’s a war of annihilation, a war that targets the most vulnerable, including children. Children who survive the bombs often succumb to the harsh realities of cold and hunger.
Regarding the scenes of solidarity, let me share an example from the Nasser Hospital. With many displaced individuals in Gaza and the roads under siege, a makeshift connection was ingeniously crafted using ropes to ensure the hospital’s water supply remained intact, situated as it was between the school where the displaced sought refuge and the hospital itself.
We earnestly hope for an end to this turmoil. We fervently pray to God that the war in the Gaza Strip will end soon.
