As a Palestinian woman from Gaza, I’ve lived through some of the most tumultuous times in our region’s history. My story is one of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds of family – all set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and separation.
From Bride to Exile: The Start of My Journey
I got married back in 2000 and moved from my family home in Khan Yunis, Gaza to live with my husband in the West Bank. At the time, there was no blockade and things were relatively calm. But just three months after our wedding, everything changed. The Second Intifada erupted, travel between Gaza and the West Bank became severely restricted, and I found myself cut off from my family.
Suddenly, I was living in exile in my own country. I missed out on so many important family moments – both joyous and sad. Weddings, births, funerals – I couldn’t be there for any of it. The separation was heartbreaking.
The Pain of Separation During Crisis
During times of war and violence in Gaza, the separation became almost unbearable. I lived in constant anxiety about my family’s safety. When the bombs were falling, all I could do was wait by the phone and pray.
The current war has been the most devastating of all. My family has been displaced multiple times, eventually ending up in a tent that offers little protection from the elements. It’s agonizing to know they’re suffering and I can’t be there to help.
A Brother Lost to Senseless Violence
The greatest tragedy I’ve faced came on December 30th last year, when my beloved brother Abdul Rahman was killed. He had gone out to search for milk and diapers for his twin toddlers, as well as food for our elderly parents. Abdul Rahman was the oldest son and the family’s sole provider.
He was an innocent civilian, posing no threat. But the war doesn’t discriminate. Now his young children are fatherless, and I’ve lost my kind, caring brother who always stayed in touch despite the distance between us.
Abdul Rahman’s death is part of a larger tragedy – I’ve lost over 20 relatives in this war. Cousins, uncles, aunts – the list keeps growing. The machine of death seems endless.
Finding Hope Amidst Despair
Despite the immense pain and loss, I refuse to give up hope. I recently joined the Palestinian-Israeli Bereaved Families Forum. It’s a place where those who have lost loved ones on both sides can come together.
I know there are many Israelis who also want peace and an end to the occupation. By joining this forum, I hope to build bridges of dialogue between our peoples. We must work together to change our reality and create a better future for our children – one without fear, occupation, or war.
A Plea for Peace and Understanding
As a Palestinian woman who has lived through decades of conflict, my greatest wish is for the suffering to end. We must stop the bloodshed on both sides. I call on all people of conscience to work towards ending the occupation, establishing a Palestinian state, and building a future of peaceful coexistence.
The path forward won’t be easy. But for the sake of future generations, we must keep pushing for justice, dignity, and peace. Only then can we heal the deep wounds of the past and create a brighter tomorrow for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
