Gaza Diaries: Sara
They are the most fragile in the world's lexicon, often dubbed “the flowers” in our culture for their softness, gentleness, and sensitivity. But in this storm of aggression, the very fabric of humanity has been torn apart.
The Palestinian woman has been cut down from vein to vein, forced into impossible choices. She is either a grieving mother who has lost her children, stories of which are countless and unbearably painful. Diving into them makes you feel the world is a dark place, as you watch a Palestinian mother on live TV calling out to her child buried under the rubble, hoping to hear a heartbeat, but there is no answer.
The area where we live has become a red area! Every single day, there is blood, displacement, and a lot of tears. My mind refuses to forget the mother who described her daughter Malak’s features, and when she lost hope of finding her alive, she said, “My daughter Malak weighs 14 kilograms.” In what world do parents express their love for their children in kilograms of scattered flesh?
The other fate forced upon our women is widowhood in the prime of their youth, bearing responsibilities that even men cannot shoulder. The mother becomes both mother and father, answering questions that adults struggle to answer, with a lump in their throats. She must find their daily bread, their joys, and all the other responsibilities that come with it.
Every day, it’s the women who brave the long lines for water and food, ensuring their children have what they need. The clay ovens they rely on spew thick smoke, searing their skin and wreaking havoc on their health. It's a relentless battle, and each scar tells a story of resilience and heartache.
Can’t the free women around the globe see the heart-wrenching images of our mothers and children, caught in the crossfire of aggression? Doesn't it tug at your heartstrings when you see us enduring such pain? As Palestinian women, we have always empathized with the pain of others whether from natural disasters or conflicts. Despite the storm we weather, we harbor a deep-seated desire for happiness and tranquility for every woman under the sun.