Help Ziena and Her Family Escape the Hell of War
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Among thousands of tragic stories, one stands out, belonging to me. My name is Zeina Sedder. Here is my painful story. I am 9 years old. My father offered me the best possible means for pursuing my dream of learning languages, so I became a member of a French institution and a UK center for learning languages. This filled me with enthusiasm and joy. I was also overwhelmed with other activities like singing, drawing, and swimming. My life was full of joy and warmth until the seventh of October 2023, when everything went horribly different.
On the 25th of October, my grandparents' house was destroyed while we were inside. My uncle Mohmoud Sedder (35 years old) died, as well as my cousin Tala Al Hayek (11 years old). My aunt Nour Sedder got injured in her head and became paralyzed; it's impossible to recover in such a situation, especially with her need for special treatment. I got injured too, and since then, I have been suffering from a nervous breakdown. My father lost his source of income when his business, a training center, became a mass of rubble. But miraculously, my family and I survived death.
Israeli airstrikes and bombardments caused panic for me and my family. We couldn't bear the sound of huge explosions, which sounded like repeated earthquakes and red flames engulfing the area. We were forced to displace to the south of Gaza as the Israeli forces commanded, leaving our lovely apartments. We went to the UN refugee school in Khan Yunis area to escape the horror and death. We stumbled into a different life filled with suffering from every side, living the hell of the most painful war. I contracted a skinny disease due to polluted water, lack of cleanliness, and the spread of infectious diseases, and there is no suitable medicine.
The situation is catastrophic. "Nothing left in Gaza but death. Even death has become a privilege because it provides a sense of comfort." My little brother Ahmed and I begged my father to travel outside Gaza, but it was very hard since it's been very costly, and my father lost all his properties during the war, including his "training center and his two apartments," which were totally destroyed. So he has nothing to help us travel outside Gaza, and there is no safe place in Gaza strip.
I pray each moment for an end to this war and for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is not just a plea; it is a desperate cry for an end to the helplessness and hopelessness that pervades every corner. We escape death every day and then wake up the next morning to try to escape it once again. My heart is heavy, unable to handle the recurring nightmares, overwhelming flood of news of blood, loss, destruction, and despair pouring in from Gaza. Every single minute feels like a struggle. No one should have to endure this.
Bombings continue in southern Gaza. Residential blocks in Khan Yunis are being carpet-bombed. Everyone is unsafe, believing they could be the next to face tragedy. Telecommunications are cut off. We are exhausted and can't bear more tragedies and losses. Then we were forced to displace to Rafah to escape death once more from Khan Yunis. We are currently living in a hand-made tent near a cemetery where the smell of death is everywhere. My poor father notices our pale faces and weak bodies while he stands helpless to do anything due to a lack of money and resources.
"I am still nine years old, and I never thought I would witness an attack so cruel, with such utter disregard for basic human values. I am deprived of the main rights, including education and health. I need to rebuild my shattered life outside of Gaza with my family and to help us have better healthcare and to travel to Egypt. That will cost at least $20,000 just to get out of Gaza so we can dream to follow our rights to have a better educational system and healthcare.”
On the 25th of October, my grandparents' house was destroyed while we were inside. My uncle Mohmoud Sedder (35 years old) died, as well as my cousin Tala Al Hayek (11 years old). My aunt Nour Sedder got injured in her head and became paralyzed; it's impossible to recover in such a situation, especially with her need for special treatment. I got injured too, and since then, I have been suffering from a nervous breakdown. My father lost his source of income when his business, a training center, became a mass of rubble. But miraculously, my family and I survived death.
Israeli airstrikes and bombardments caused panic for me and my family. We couldn't bear the sound of huge explosions, which sounded like repeated earthquakes and red flames engulfing the area. We were forced to displace to the south of Gaza as the Israeli forces commanded, leaving our lovely apartments. We went to the UN refugee school in Khan Yunis area to escape the horror and death. We stumbled into a different life filled with suffering from every side, living the hell of the most painful war. I contracted a skinny disease due to polluted water, lack of cleanliness, and the spread of infectious diseases, and there is no suitable medicine.
The situation is catastrophic. "Nothing left in Gaza but death. Even death has become a privilege because it provides a sense of comfort." My little brother Ahmed and I begged my father to travel outside Gaza, but it was very hard since it's been very costly, and my father lost all his properties during the war, including his "training center and his two apartments," which were totally destroyed. So he has nothing to help us travel outside Gaza, and there is no safe place in Gaza strip.
I pray each moment for an end to this war and for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is not just a plea; it is a desperate cry for an end to the helplessness and hopelessness that pervades every corner. We escape death every day and then wake up the next morning to try to escape it once again. My heart is heavy, unable to handle the recurring nightmares, overwhelming flood of news of blood, loss, destruction, and despair pouring in from Gaza. Every single minute feels like a struggle. No one should have to endure this.
Bombings continue in southern Gaza. Residential blocks in Khan Yunis are being carpet-bombed. Everyone is unsafe, believing they could be the next to face tragedy. Telecommunications are cut off. We are exhausted and can't bear more tragedies and losses. Then we were forced to displace to Rafah to escape death once more from Khan Yunis. We are currently living in a hand-made tent near a cemetery where the smell of death is everywhere. My poor father notices our pale faces and weak bodies while he stands helpless to do anything due to a lack of money and resources.
"I am still nine years old, and I never thought I would witness an attack so cruel, with such utter disregard for basic human values. I am deprived of the main rights, including education and health. I need to rebuild my shattered life outside of Gaza with my family and to help us have better healthcare and to travel to Egypt. That will cost at least $20,000 just to get out of Gaza so we can dream to follow our rights to have a better educational system and healthcare.”
Organizer
Salma Awad
Organizer
St. John's, NL
