Story ahed :
Ahed talal lives in the Gaza Strip with his family of 7 brather and married with two children . Sadly, and as the eldest son, he is the primary breadwinner for his family. The family does not currently have any source of income, as finding employment is difficult at this time. ahed's mother, siblings, and their children currently live at a school, because their house was bombed. They have been displaced several times. They were forced to evacuate from the school at one point because there were threats that the school would be bombed. They traveled to Rafah and lived in a camp for the displaced for a period, but when the Rafah invasion became a huge concern, the decision was made to return to the school. As you may have heard, there is no place safe in Gaza.


Two months ago, the Israeli army threatened the school where my family and I were displaced, so we had to evacuate and leave. We built a tent in the camp for displaced people in Rafah, and now we live in a tent in the rain and cold air. We are displaced with every threat and we fear the worst will happen soon.

My experience in this war was very painful. We have been stripped of all forms of humanity and life. Instead of seeing fireworks lighting up our skies, we see phosphorus bombs and drones. We sleep with fear and constant bombing around us. There was not a single night of peace, since the beginning of this war.

Instead of seeing little children smiling, I see children shedding tears and pain. Everyone in Gaza is hurting, old and young. Children here cry instead of laughing. Happiness has been erased from Gaza. Families have been torn apart. Everyone around me is dying and even my help is not enough.

We are targeted anywhere and everywhere. My family's safety is not guaranteed. All supplies are dwindling. Gaza is dying and everyone here is just a dead man walking. No one sees my pain. I must put a smile on for the world and for the children. I see. I have seen all the horrors this war has brought on our people. Palestinian mothers cry for their martyred sons, their widowed wives, and their orphaned children. Air strikes and bombing are approaching us. We in Gaza are accustomed to this life of pain. The only new thing now is the different artillery used against us.