Our colleague Ghada has been stuck abroad during the genocide, like many other Palestinians from Gaza. It’s been 582days. Ghada’s family remains in Gaza and below are Ghada’s reflections following her conversations with her family and friends. Her loved ones are trying to survive a genocide, while she witnesses from a distance and shares the horrors with the rest of us. 

I tried to choose a title for this piece that contains stories of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, but I couldn’t because what is happening in Gaza is beyond the ability of the human mind to comprehend.

I can’t believe in this modern era this is happening in Gaza right now!

Only in Gaza, there is no proper food, only a few canned foods and at times flour. Everyone, without exception, barely manages to eat a single meal a day. Actually this does not amount to a meal per person: a half a loaf of bread with a few beans, five spoonfuls of boiled rice, or some simple soup. The Israeli occupation prevents the entry of food, meat, fruits, and vegetables.

These are some of what people I love and cherish have shared with me whenever we were able to communicate:

“We in Gaza are merely a resemblance of human-like images, unable to move yet constantly forced to, unable to bear the burdens of life. We have forgotten the taste of good food” – Mahmoud, 29 years old

“I dreamt that it was raining bananas” –  Ayman, 4 years old

“I want to bite an apple and hear the sound of the bite” – Tia, 3 years old

“My wish is to eat an egg” Laia, 4 years old

“Every day I pray to God to open the crossing and have food and candy” – Makka, 5 years old

I listened to these wishes, and I found myself thinking, “oh, … they forgot how to make a wish, or what wishes even mean.” These should not be wishes, these are basic needs that have to be met. 

Only in Gaza, my people are taking expired medications. They have temporarily extended their expiration dates because the whole world has failed to deliver even a single box of medicine into Gaza.

“My mother is one of those patients, she has been surviving on expired medicine.” – Ameera, 20 years old

“We cannot receive treatment because you must wait for your turn and then evaluate the case. My father passed away a few days ago while he was waiting for his turn.” – Naji, 30 years old

“My wife was diagnosed with cancer during the war and was unable to receive treatment. I made many appeals and appeared in the media to ask for help to have her treated abroad. Unfortunately, my wife died and no one heard me.” – Maher, 45 years old

My people fight death in every possible way and the decision makers watch silently.

Only in Gaza there is no electricity and no water. 

Only in Gaza there is a lot of love, a lot of memories and a lot of warmth trapped under the rubble.

Only in Gaza there are a lot of souls trapped under the rubble.

And only in Gaza, I lie to myself everyday that I am hopeful when I am not. I force myself to not lose hope, because if I lost that…there will be nothing left…