Global News

Fergal Keane: For Gaza survivors war will live long into the future

Such aid is tangible assistance. It can be weighed, counted, loaded, and ultimately distributed. People can be fed and given medicine. But there is another challenge whose demands are immense, and which will have a profound impact on the future of Gaza.

The war has created unknown numbers of traumatised adults and children. We have recorded some of their stories but are aware of the tens of thousands more that remain untold.

Children have faced acute suffering. According to a survey of the caregivers of 504 children, for the UK charity War Child, external, 96% of children felt death was imminent.

The interviews also found that 49% had a desire to die. Frequently our journalists have heard young survivors say they wished they could join a dead mother, father, or sibling.

Ten-year-old Amr al Hindi was the sole survivor of an Israeli strike on the building where he lived in Beit Lahia last October. Our colleague in the area filmed Amr in hospital just after the attack.

The floor around him was covered with the wounded. A woman sat with blood seeping from her ear. Nearby a man had just died.

“Where’s Sherif?” Amr asked repeatedly. A nurse told him Sherif was OK. “I will take you upstairs to see him.” But Sherif, his brother, did not survive. Nor did his other brother, Ali, or his sister Aseel, or his mother and father. The whole family was gone.

Just after the ceasefire agreement was announced we went back to see what had become of Amr al Hindi. He was living with his grandparents, and it was clear they loved him with care and tenderness. The child had three of his toes amputated after the bombing, but was managing to walk normally.

Amr sat on his grandfather’s lap and stared directly at the camera. He was still, and composed, as if he was looking out from behind a thick protective screen. He began to speak about his brother Ali and how he had wanted to go to Jordan and study to become a doctor.

“I wish to become like Ali. I want to fulfil his dream, and travel to Jordan to become a doctor,” he said. But over the last few words tears began to fall and he broke into sobs.

Amr’s grandfather kissed him on the cheek; he said “darling” and patted his chest.

In this moment it is understood that there are many wars here.

Some that have paused. Others that, for the survivors, will live long into the future.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *