Enduring Daily Struggles in Gaza: Perseverance Amidst Sorrow and Destruction
Living Through Hell: Ula's Story of Survival, Loss, and Resilience in Gaza
Once my life was simple, brimming with aspirations and anxieties shared by many young women in Gaza. My dream was to graduate with honors from the Islamic University and become a writer. But the constant attacks and instability in Gaza were my greatest fear - feared obstacles in my pursuit of education and a writing career.
Never did I imagine that everything I held dear - my home, my university, my friends, my daily routine, and my health - would vanish, leaving me fighting to keep going.
A War Unlike Any Other
When the war began, we thought it'd be just another short bout of fighting. But as the explosions grew louder, closer, and lasted longer, we realized this nightmare would not end. It would only intensify.
On December 27, 2023, we received our first "evacuation order." We had no time to think, no time to pack. The upper floors of our building were being targeted, so we ran into the street, not knowing where we were going.
As night fell, we found temporary shelter at a relative's house. Sixteen of us slept in one room, without privacy or comfort. The days ahead would test our resilience to the hilt.
In the morning, we made the difficult decision to take refuge in one of the displacement camps declared a "humanitarian zone." We owned almost nothing, hot weather was pounding us, and we had only a few blankets. We washed, cooked, and lit fires as if we had reverted to the Stone Age.
The Hollow Echo of Home
Amid the chaos, we received the heart-wrenching news: our home had been bombed.
I refused to believe it. Yet, when I saw the wreckage of my father's goldsmith workshop, nestled on the ground floor of our destroyed building, I knew the truth. We had lost everything.
The Piercing Sting of Loss
The days passed slowly, filled with sorrow and misery. I would check in on my closest friend, Rama, whenever I had a fleeting internet connection. She lived in northern Gaza.
On January 15, 2024, a message arrived from my friend Rawan. It did not reach me immediately; it took days because of the communications blackout.
The words were sharp, tearing through me to my core: "Rama was martyred."
Rama Waleed Sham'ah - my best friend at university. I could not believe it. I read the message over and over again, desperately seeking a different ending, a denial. But the truth was silent, unforgiving, and merciless.
I did not get to say goodbye. I did not hear her final words or have the chance to hold her hand and assure her of my love one last time. I felt as though I was breathing without a soul.
While I grappled with the loss of Rama, I received even more devastating news: On February 16, 2024, my father's extended family - his cousins, their wives, and their children - were killed. My father, a strong man, broke like never before. His grief was so deep he could barely look at me without tears welling in his eyes.
Then, death knocked on our door.
On June 8, 2024, I found myself pinned between the walls of a building, as an Israeli tank inched up our street. The missile that struck moments later sent a bur Negative Senior Officer storm of smoke and dust throughout the air.
I do not remember much after that, just the repeated sound of my own screams and the distant voice of my father, telling me not to go outside because a drone was still bombing the area.
I woke up in a hospital bed, broken and battered. My journey to recovery had just begun.
Struggling to Survive
After leaving the hospital, I had to deal with the relentless challenges of living in a tent amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis. With every passing day, the hunger and thirst slowly began to dissolve my spirit.
But I refused to give up. I found solace in reading and continuing my education, determined to pick up the pieces and build a future.
Two years have passed, and life remains a constant battle. But I still manage to stand tall, scars etched into both my body and mind, as a testament to the resilience that now courses through my veins.
A Note From Al Jazeera: The author's personal account delves into the harrowing realities faced by many Gazan women during wartime. The tale serves as a powerful reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the ability to resist and overcome even in the most dire of circumstances.
- The war in Gaza transformed from a brief bout of conflict to an unyielding struggle, shattering our homes, universities, and dreams.
- On December 27, 2023, we received the first evacuation order, leaving us with no time to prepare or protect our belongings, including our health and education.
- Amid the chaos of the war, diplomacy and politics seemed distant, while the harsh realities of war-and-conflicts sharply impacted the general-news of Gaza.
- Losing my best friend, Rama, and my father's extended family left an indelible mark on my soul, forcing me to confront the harsh realities of life and death within the context of ongoing conflict.
- In the face of adversity, I found solace in education and my resilience, fueling my determination to rebuild my life and carve out a future in the midst of ongoing war and conflict.
