Work is what keeps me alive

Since October 7 and the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, at least 40,000 Palestinians have been killed – including at least 10.000 children - and over 80,000 injured in the continuous bombing of Gaza by Israeli forces. This deadly offensive comes in the wake of a massive attack launched on Israel by Hamas, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 Israelis and foreign nationals were taken hostage.

I have lived in Gaza, Nuseirat camp since my birth in 1999, and currently, I am also displaced in the same camp but in a different area. Life before displacement was so beautiful that I sleep and wake up wishing to return to it.

What I love most about my job, as a physical therapist and rehabilitation specialist, is that it is purely humanitarian, and the impact it has on people. In general, I see it as a title for creating miracles, not waiting for them.

Homeless

I lost my home on the third day of the war, October 11, 2023, which forced me to move to 8 different places. First to the camp where I live with relatives, then to the Bureij camp, then to another house in Nuseirat camp, then to Al-Zawaida in the central area, then Deir al-Balah, and finally back to Nuseirat camp in the Al-Zuhour area.

All these moves were in different houses. Not having a home is really disturbing. I am facing several challenges in preparing bedding, especially in winter, and changing clothes after losing everything in the bombing of my house. During the displacement to Al-Zawaida, accessing food and water was very difficult. With the lack of water, washing clothes and dishes was tough.

Survival after tragedy

I lost my home but also 17 members of my family, including my parents and my older brother. My other siblings were also injured. My middle sister suffered from a complicated fracture in her right hand, requiring many surgeries, and until recently, she was still suffering from the consequences of the injury.

I was also injured with several fractures and survived under the rubble miraculously.

Traumatized by the war

Every time we tried to cope, new incidents would bring us back to square one. My older brother, whom I lost in the war, had two small daughters who suffered greatly, first from injuries during the war, then from displacements, and the constant fear of bombing and violence, making them always scared, with sleep disturbances and a great attachment to remaining family members.

Working with the HI volunteer team and meeting many people with stories like mine helped me accept reality, rise strongly to continue life, and assist those with stories similar to mine.

Supporting people who survive the war 

In the end, I survived a horrific massacre where I lost 17 members of my family, including my parents and older brother. 

I want to continue working with the HI team, which had a very positive impact on my psyche and overcoming the loss of my family, and knowing that I am not alone in this ordeal. I want to provide my services to as many people as possible with similar stories.

Call for a ceasefire

We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. We also call for safe, unimpeded, and direct access to humanitarian aid.

Israeli authorities must cease their violent actions against civilians and civilian premises and lift the access restrictions imposed on Palestinian residents in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. These restrictions often hinder the ability of individuals to access essential healthcare services, including physical and functional rehabilitation and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services.

Palestinians face a catastrophic humanitarian situation, while the International Court of Justice found possible violations of the Genocide Convention and declared the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as illegal, in two recent and separate rulings.