Read the moving words of people living in Gaza and the West Bank during the Israel-Hamas war. The following article was published in the January-February 2024 issue of NewsNotes.
Maryknoll Sr. Susan Nchubiri shares a collection of quotes from friends in Gaza and the West Bank who have written to her about their experiences since the Hamas attack in Israel that killed more than 1,000 people on Oct. 7 and Israel’s subsequent bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza and tightened security in the West Bank.
“In the past few months, I have been shocked, horrified, bewildered, heartbroken, enraged, and helpless at the immensity of death, violence, and destruction of lives, infrastructure, and the environment in southern Israel and Gaza,” said Sr. Nchubiri. “The brutality unleashed by Hamas on October 7 is incomprehensible. As is the destruction by bombs, white phosphorus, and other cluster munitions dropped by Israel on a tiny strip of land filled with people. Yes, breathing innocent men, women, and children, 2.3 million, living on a 139 square miles strip of land. Previously, it had been referred to as the world’s largest open-air prison. Since 2007, Gaza has been under air, land, and maritime blockade by Israel and Egypt. Since November, it has been referred to as a ‘graveyard for children,’ by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UNICEF officials.”
Ms. Nasra, 36, in Gaza, wrote, “I am out of words and can’t write anything. This feeling comes to me from time to time. I feel I don’t have any energy or capability to do anything. What’s going on is beyond words or imagination. … Nothing is spared, not children, women, the elderly and infirm, people with disability, the sick, hospitals, schools, libraries, churches, mosques, and cemeteries. Imagine: they are bulldozing cemeteries! Are the long-dead also Hamas militants? No water, food, medical supplies, electricity, no humanity is left in Gaza. However, Palestinians only have their faith in God and love for our land. Palestine is not only a country and land! Palestine is heart, faith, home, and identity!”
Mr. Bisham, 38, in Jordan Valley, West Bank, wrote, “The world should know and understand, PLUS they should ACT to end the occupation. The unconditional support and protection from the United States must be balanced. Americans can do a lot to bring a positive change for both peoples (Israelis and Palestinians).”
Mr. Ahmed, 56, Bethlehem, West Bank, wrote, “Today, I brought my daughter for chemotherapy at the hospital, which is only 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles away. We had waited for over 50 days for the drugs to arrive at the hospital. However, due to the road closures in Palestine, I had to drive 100km in both directions to get to the hospital. Imagine the suffering of travelers, the effects on the environment resulting from fuel consumption, and the wear and tear of tires. Businesses closed. Jobs lost and the psychological torture we have to go through as we wait for hours to pass through the Israeli checkpoints. On the other hand, the Israelis living in settlements and outposts around us whizz through good roads with no checkpoints or closures to their neighborhoods.”
Ms. Nadiya in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem, wrote, “Oh, Palestinian nights, how long you are! Long and slow, waiting for the morning to wake up to pain and sorrow… fear, anxiety and tension. Gaza’s nights are like no other! The people of Gaza spend it running from death to death! The killing does not stop.”
“We suffer and grieve as human beings, but we do not lose hope! Always, there is hope! Inshallah, it shall be well for Palestine! For humankind,” wrote Ms. Nahila, 32, in Jericho – West Bank.
A Palestinian friend in the West Bank wrote a poem:
“Do you see me? ‘
I am right here.
Do you care for me?
You don’t need to care …
I just need you to see me.
I deserve to live a normal life.
Why can’t you see me?
Who said you are better than me?
Who said you have the right to safety and protection, shelter and food, medicine and a hug of a loving mother, and I don’t?
Look at me… see me.
I am Gaza.”
Christ in the Rubble Nativity scene by Sister Jean Fallon, MM.