How multidimensional the issue of responsibility for the situation in the Gaza Strip is, is shown by the story of Amal, an architect, who gave birth to her second son on the day of the Hamas attack on Israel. At the most difficult moment, when the war broke out, the woman was left alone with two small children. The second year tries to save them from starvation or bombing. The story she told us differs greatly from Israel's official narrative that it does not attack civilians as part of its fight against Hamas.
Amal Alabadla is an architect and mother of two boys. Her younger son was born on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel.
– I woke up to the sound of an explosion. The ground was shaking and I felt paralyzing fear. I held my two-year-old Noah in my arms, still carrying Muhammad under my heart. All that mattered was their safety, says Amal Alabadla, a resident of the Gaza Strip and mother of two children.
“Doctors told me I would lose the baby”
There were bombings everywhere. – I was bleeding for four hours and trying to find transport to the hospital. The taxi driver who finally picked me up abandoned me in the middle of the street. I had to run, carrying Noah, and look for another car while my body weakened. When I got to the hospital, the doctors told me I would lose the baby. When I heard Muhammad cry, I felt it was a miracle. I was happy that he was born alive, says Amal Alabadla.
Almost immediately, basic food products disappeared from the market. Obtaining food for residents has become a big challenge.
– Getting food, a drop of water or milk for babies has become almost impossible. We could only get water once a week, and every sip was like gold. I couldn't breastfeed Muhammad, so I struggled every day to find formula for him. Sometimes I had to travel very far, says Amal Alabadla.
Destruction in the Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes (04/01/2025)Reuters
During one such trip for groceries, the car the woman was driving found herself in the line of fire of Israeli tanks. – They shot at us. We had to run away. It was the most terrifying moment. I don't know how I survived that day, says Amal Alabadla.
Any place that Amala's family considered suitable for refuge sooner or later turned into a target for attack. The building where she lived with her children was bombed. They were present at the time of the attack, but what saved them was the fact that the apartment was on the ground floor.
“After each escape, I left behind everything we had collected.”
– I managed to run out into the street, holding the children in my arms. After each escape, I left behind everything we had collected. Every start was a new one, empty-handed, says Amal Alabadla. – Noah is often sick and stays close to me all the time. He doesn't want to go to other places, he's afraid of the sounds of bombing. Muhammad, although he does not yet understand what is happening, feels the stress that surrounds us. I am constantly afraid – either another bomb will hit us or not – says the woman.
Amal Alabadla does not want to raise children in the war zone and makes further attempts to leave the Gaza Strip, but to no avail – the border remains closed. – We all want to save our children, but they don't let us leave – says Amal Alabadla. – I hope that my children will have a normal life and a fruitful future. I believe that they will meet their father one day, grow up in a safe place and be healthy. I just dream of peace, he sums up.
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Main photo source: Alam Alabadla