Gaza Under Attack

A ceasefire has been announced after 3 days of bombing on Gaza’s crowded population. According to the Palestine Ministry of Health, 44 have so far been reported killed, 15 of them children and 4 women. 360 have been injured. Some children have lost limbs. All have been re-traumatised, not yet having properly recovered from the intense bombardment of 11 days in May 2021.

The PTC(UK) trauma team remain steadfast. They are well-practised in rapid response work in these conditions. They can bind the psychological wounds but not completely heal them. That healing can only take place when the siege ends and the bombing is stopped for ever. A ceasefire is not enough.

Below is a response to the last few days from Saad Mohamed Al-Kahot who is an author in Gaza and a therapist working with the PTC(UK) team:

"Life has returned to normal in Gaza," says the presenter in the newscast.

 There are witnesses that deny what the news bulletin said. Residents still panic whenever a child knocks on the door and the emergency bag is still staring at the family next to the door.

 A child still looks for her cat under the rubble. Parents have not yet opened the doors of consolation. There is still a child who thinks that his martyr father was asleep at the moment of farewell and that he will return two days later whenever he goes out.

Tell news anchors that life in Gaza was not normal before the war and nothing has changed here except the accumulation of more pain in the corners of the dark scene.

Peace be upon the sad country that walks alone in the roads of pain and does not reach an ending.

Saeed Mohamed Al-Kahlot