We remain in Gaza, like everyone else. When the [Israeli Occupation Forces] asked people to move south due to impending bombardments in the north, my family and I complied.
Many of those who moved south had no homes to return to, many homes were destroyed.
Entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been erased. Many people, including myself, have lost their jobs — my company is gone.
Upon arriving in the south, we found that the situation was dire. Gaza has no electricity, no water, no internet… it’s a miracle that I’m sitting here sending this message right now. We’re cut off from the world, unaware of global events or even what’s happening within Gaza. The airstrikes are everywhere, but no one knows where the bombs are falling exactly.
After we moved south, we found that airstrikes were also happening there, so, my family and I decided to return to our home in the north, in Gaza City. We are currently in the area that Israel has warned us to evacuate. But we thank God for everything. We are okay for now. Thank you very much for your support. Thank you for asking and checking on us. We truly don’t know what is happening in the world and can’t post or publish anything from here. Most of the internet and telecom companies were destroyed. You can get updates on Gaza on the news through Instagram channels for Alaa Hamdan or the journalist Muna Hawwa, they post content in different languages on the Palestinian cause. Through their pages, you can find a lot of content you share, that can help us. Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you. Your messages will remain with us always. they make us feel better.
As Biden visits [Israel on Oct. 18] you will see news showing support and solidarity with Israel. I feel that this is the right time for you to spread the message and truth about what is actually happening in Gaza and Palestine. The situation is not only difficult in Gaza but also in the West Bank. Almost all the settlers have been armed. There are 60 martyrs in the West Bank so far, killed by settler gunfire. They kidnap people and then kill them. The situation is bigger than just Gaza. It is an ethnic cleansing of Palestine with Gaza as the main focus. They aim to trap the entire population to either expel or kill. Unfortunately, we feel the whole world is idle, content with what’s happening. But we thank God for everything. All we ask is for your prayers. That’s all we want. I hope to see and speak to you again during better times. Peace.
Excerpt from text messages:
Fayrouz and/or Amina: All we can do is to share everything, is it okay to share your texts and the voicenotes to reach as many people as possible?
Mahmoud: Your support and concern makes us stronger. We would never accept nor wish for these circumstances to befall you. If our steadfastness keeps evil away from you, we have no problem with that. God protects us all. Thank you for standing with us. You can use anything from our conversation freely. We are saddened by the silence of the Arabs and the racism and double standards of the West and the rest of the world. But we thank God.
Fayrouz and Amina: Of course, God’s mercy is grand. God protect you all and keep you patient.
Mahmoud: O’ God.
Fayrouz and/or Amina: The world is cruel, [we] don’t know how to help. God protect you and your family and all Palestinians.
Mahmoud: Pray for us and share our stories and what is happening to us. This is how you help us.
