Voices from Gaza on Resilience and Struggle

Does anyone know if my voice can reach the world? I am

Yafa, a daughter of the Gaza Strip. I can say that I am

a veteran of wars. In this war, I learned how

the world shifts and takes sides when it comes

to our cause, the Palestinian cause. But the difference is that in

Gaza, we defend our dignity and preserve its survival.

But you, world, who defends your dignity? And who protects it?

And who preserves its survival? The question remains for the Arab

and Islamic world: How has the sight of bombs

shattering our bones become familiar and routine? How

were you able to watch us die in sound

and image without stirring anything within you? How has all this

time passed without you doing anything? We will not forget those who let us down

and sold us out, bargaining over us live on television channels.

They say, “Move Gaza’s people to Sinai.” No, no, no.

Do not displace them to Sinai, displace them to the Negev Desert.

And I say, “O you who ram the lofty mountain

to humiliate it, pity the steadfast one, not the mountain.”

If this nation gave besieged Gaza even a meager amount of

Even a measure of honor and dignity in their speeches, at the very least,

would have been enough for us to

console us and ease the pain of our loss,

but those who let us down will not harm us. God only uses whom

He wills, humiliates whom He wills, and replaces whom He wills.

Personally, I believe that merely entering this battle is a great victory,

and our steadfastness until today is an even greater victory, whatever the outcome of the war may be,

even if I die, the results remain astounding. It is not

easy for a Gazan to stand alone amid this abandonment and Arab

disregard, defending his existence despite the martyrdom of his

family and the destruction of his home. By God, this is an ancient glory for us,

by God, this is a vast glory for us, for us alone. As for

everyone else, they deserve to spend

their lives with their heads bowed. This is the result of

their cowardice and whims. The price is certainly high, but

Palestine deserves it, Al-Aqsa deserves it, and there are people who sacrifice too

and no one dies before their time. I pray to God for martyrdom

and to behold His noble countenance, O Lord. O God,

martyrdom. O God, martyrdom.