قصتان من شمال و جنوب غزة

North

In the northern region of Gaza, Hadeel Abu Nasser's story stands as a haunting testament to the unyielding assaults that have shattered lives for ten months.

On Oct. 12, her neighbors' house was targeted without warning, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 people, seven of whom were not residents of the home but were killed incidentally. Hadeel's home suffered partial damage in the merciless attack.

“Thank God, we are physically okay but [we are] not [okay] psychologically at all,” Hadeel says.

The devastating blows continued on Oct. 20, when Hadeel lost 11 relatives, including uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Hadeel's relatives, martyred on Oct. 20, 2023.

Despite the profound grief and heartache, her family, like many others, made the resilient choice to remain in northern Gaza.

However, 63 days later, the looming threat of Israeli tanks and targeted bombings forced Hadeel and her family to evacuate.

“On Dec. 5, I witnessed one of the toughest days in my life,” Hadeel said. She was not sure if she was going to see the sunrise, afraid to die at any moment. “We were in danger.”

Just five days after they evacuated, tragedy struck again when an Israel shell hit the house where they were sheltering.

"I saw my sister crying and my dad lying down in pain. A fragment had pierced his chest. At that moment, I was chained. I could not save my dad. This was the last time I ever saw him."

Her father succumbed to his injuries four hours later, leaving her with the painful realization that survival in these circumstances often meant facing unimaginable loss.

“I am sure that my dad would have been able to survive under normal circumstances. But in this war, most of the [people who are] injured die,” Hadeel reflected.

Hadeel's father, martyred on Dec. 5, 2023.

Later, Hadeel’s family returned to their home to inspect any damage. They discovered fragments of shrapnel from shelling which reminded Hadeel of the same shrapnel that killed her father. On Dec. 12, the relentless sounds of shelling and approaching tanks forced them to seek refuge yet again, this time in a school.

Sharpnel found in Hadeel's family home.

As they settled in a new makeshift shelter, the family learned that Israeli tanks had razed two rooms in their home. This news left an irrevocable mark of destruction as a stark reminder of the high cost paid for survival in war.

Hadeel's family home, after its destruction by the Israeli occupation forces.

In recent days, Hadeel and her family find themselves depleting their food supplies. “We could barely find vegetables here. No bread. Nothing,” Hadeel says.

South

In Khan Yunis, Rima Alnajar's story unfolds as a poignant reminder to the relentless attacks that have left no safe place untouched. Rima is an English student at the Islamic University of Gaza whose life took an unexpected turn amid the ongoing aggression.

For more than 292 days, Palestinians in Gaza have endured agony, loss, and tragedy, with every corner of their lives marred by the unyielding onslaught.

Rima was preparing for her wedding, scheduled just a week after Oct. 7.

The anticipation and joy surrounding the event turned into despair when her future home, meticulously built and decorated for the occasion, became a target for Israeli airstrikes before the newlyweds could even step inside. In another airstrike, Rima lost a close family friend, whom she considered to be an uncle. His loss cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a joyous celebration that never was.

Rima's close friend, martyred by an Israeli airstrike.

“My dad has no brothers, yet you were his brother in spirit, my beloved uncle, your smile was shining the day I decided to get married,” Rima laments.

Palestinians’ dreams of a peaceful life, education, and marriage have been replaced by grief and uncertainty for all those in Gaza.