As friends and relatives are forced from their shelters once again, an Islamic Relief worker* in Gaza recounts the toll the ongoing devastation is having on families.
“I never thought I would leave that area alive. I experienced the most terrifying moments of my life with gunshots flying over my head, ongoing bombing and tank shelling, and the rumbling sound of tanks just meters away from where my family and I were staying. For a moment, I was reciting Shahada [a Muslim profession of faith]and I just accepted that I will no longer exist in this world. Subhan Allah, it is our fate to live this life.”
These are the words of my Islamic Relief colleague describing being forced to leave Khan Younis with her family a few days ago, after tanks approached the western side of the city, which was previously assigned as a safe humanitarian area. She and another colleague had to flee for their lives after the city was invaded.
Alhamdulillah they are both safe and sound now, but we were extremely worried about them as we had heard the news about the operations in the area. It was impossible to communicate with anyone in the area. I kept trying to find any information about my colleagues and my many relatives and loved ones in the area.
My wife’s aunt, who is an older woman and uses a wheelchair, was staying with her son and his family in an UNRWA shelter in the area. I heard the centre was hit with artillery and many inside died. My wife was seriously worried about her aunt. Alhamdulillah, we received confirmation through SMS – the only working communication method now – that they are all safe. They had to go through checkpoints with tanks and soldiers. People say that at this checkpoint people are asked to pass in front of facial recognition cameras. Men and boys above 15 years of age are asked to take off their clothes. The Israeli forces could imprison anyone without giving reasons, leaving the women and children of the family without any support or provider.
Alhamdulillah, my colleagues and friends are all safe and together, but many other Palestinians have reported incidents of improper treatment. Hours earlier the International Court of Justice asked for temporary measures, but nothing has changed here.
After hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave Khan Younis, they carried their belongings and went through checkpoints not knowing where to go. Many of the families are still sleeping in the streets. Unfortunately, bad weather has hit Gaza hard. Our weather is not like the UK, but we have a few days of very heavy rain at this time of year, and they just happened to be this week. People already staying in tents in open areas have been suffering flooding from the heavy rain. A 2-meter square tent made of wood and nylon is not a proper place to house a family. Many are suffering from illness and pain due to the tough circumstances they’re living in.
My colleague at a local organisation, which partners with Islamic Relief, told me:
“I was in tears. I cried when I compared this sad situation in the tent with my lovely home in Gaza. I used to have everything in my house. Whenever, someone visited me, I presented them some Ka’ak [Palestinian biscuit stuffed with dates] and coffee. Today I live on the dirt and do not have enough food to eat. I just wish we will return to our homes and live in peace”.
Yes, my dear readers, Palestinians are proud people. We used to live in dignity in our homes. We used to enjoy life and going to the sea with our friends and family. Our small city used to be vibrant. We miss that. We miss our normal daily routines. When I speak to my friends they always mention that we were crazy to complain before about how boring our lives were. Now, we have learned to thank Allah for his smallest blessings. Now, we are deprived of the most basic things and pray we can have them back. It is a lesson in patience and contentment for us, and for the whole world it shows that we Palestinians are solid and unbreakable.
My people are solid, but we can’t accept being represented only as fearless, brave, resilient, stoic creatures. We do like being described this way, but we do not like how these words fail to recognise our humanity, fragility and vulnerability. We are normal people. We are hurt… deeply hurt. We are extremely tired and exhausted. We have had enough of the world. How can myself or my children believe the world when they talk about humanity and human rights after seeing our people killed and our lives destroyed? Schools, colleges, playgrounds, hospitals, streets, homes, mosques, everything. Shame on the world that still ignores our suffering. Please, my dear readers, keep us in your prayers and support us. Please keep asking for a ceasefire.
Please help Islamic Relief support people in desperate need in Gaza: Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.
*This blog is anonymised to protect the safety and security of our colleague and others mentioned. Read the other blogs in this series here.
Editor’s note: This blog was submitted amid a fast-changing and deepening crisis. The information was correct as of Monday 29 January 2024. Image shows children in a shelter in Gaza taking part in games to improve their wellbeing during the crisis.
