Mother’s Day in Gaza
This Mum from Gaza has written on her Facebook Page “It has been 7 months, and I still don’t dare to delete anything in my mobile phone that might be related to you. Today, I’ve started to delete the mobile games you downloaded and get out from the educational groups that were related to both of you. Unfollow every child's clothing store and toys. Killing you was not only a nightmare but also the worst reality!”
In the heart of Gaza, the 21st of March, typically Mother’s Day, unfolds with a different resonance. Palestinian women, instead of celebrating, often find themselves as human shields, shielding their children from harm's reach. This day carries both resilience and tragedy, as mothers brave the chaos to ease their children's pain, yet the loss of their cherished ones, the very apple of their eyes, torn from them in the cruelest of circumstances.
Have you ever heard of the story of “The Sweet Curly Hair Boy”?
Photo: Social Media
Yusuf's mother was cooking dinner when their peaceful neighborhood was rocked by heavy missile strikes, one of which tore through their home, claiming Yusuf's young life. With tears streaming down her face, she searched frantically for her son in the hospital, describing him as a bright-eyed 7-year-old with beautiful curly hair. The heart-wrenching scene of her desperate quest for him spread quickly on social media.
Om Yosef said, “I raised him with love, I deprived myself to give him, I endured pain and suffering to let him live as a normal child as other children, I closed the door to protect him, so he and the door left, how can the mother protect her son in the war.” I waited for Yoseph at the door to come back from school every day. How can I wait any longer and Yoseph doesn't exist anymore? Yousef is gone, and he was hungry.
No woman should ever endure such heartbreak, regardless of the circumstances. In the other side of the story, countless children now find themselves grappling with the profound loss of their mothers, living in constant fear of abandonment and loneliness. It is a stark testament to the enduring impact of war, leaving scars that extend far beyond the physical realm.
"Holy Land Dates has been dedicated to donating a minimum of 50% of our net profits to support the vulnerable since 2016. Through your generosity in sales, fundraising campaigns, and tours to Palestine, we have contributed to the construction of 3 schools, an orphanage, and 3 pediatric intensive care units at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, providing life-saving care to babies in Gaza and the West Bank. Recently, providing meals for Gaza and distributing cash vouchers have become our priority. Our commitment extends beyond dates; it's about creating lasting change and spreading hope."
References:
Abdallah Aljamal (2023), ‘The ‘Sweet Boy with Curly Hair’ was Found, but Under the Rubble’ Available at: https://www.palestinechronicle.com/the-sweet-boy-with-curly-hair-was-found-but-under-the-rubble/ (Accessed 20 April 2024).
The National Editorial (2024), ‘Mother's Day this year is a time for reflection’ Available at: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/editorial/2024/03/21/women-gaza-war-mothers-day/ (Accessed 19 April 2024).