Haneen's plea: Don't forget Gaza

do not let the distractions of life keep you from us

Mar 14, 2026

Forgetting Gaza is a crime; do not let the distractions of life keep you from us, for here life has stopped amidst a massive tragedy, mountains of rubble, and millions of tents.

I have four children: Hazem, Hamza, Waseem, and Mohammed. Hazem is six years old and has a disability. Our life was simple but beautiful before the war. Although we faced many difficulties, we overcame them. My husband worked in agriculture, and we lived in safety. We had schools and universities, but unfortunately, the war has destroyed life in Gaza.

A man stands in a narrow, worn hallway holding two babies, one in each arm. In front of him, a young child sits in a supportive wheelchair with a harness, reaching forward with both hands. Another small child stands barefoot to the right, wearing a dark tracksuit and looking toward the camera. The hallway has rough, aged walls, a concrete floor, and simple household items like sacks and bags placed along the sides. Decorations hang overhead near the entrance behind them. — Haneen’s husband and children

Before the war I used to take Hazem to a specialized physical therapy center so he could walk. After two years of treatment, he was almost able to walk, but unfortunately, the war came and the center was bombed, depriving him of the ability to walk. Now he is in a wheelchair and needs special care.

Hamza is five years old and has lived his childhood amidst the war. My twins, Waseem and Mohammed were born during the war, amidst fear, hunger, and bombing. They are seven months old and, unfortunately, have not been breastfed; they need formula. We also face difficulty providing for our needs due to the high cost of living. We light a fire every day to cook because there is no gas. We also travel long distances to get drinking water. All I want is to provide for our needs and give my children a better life.

Two babies lie side by side on a gray pillow placed on a patterned blanket. They are dressed in matching outfits: light blue sweatshirts with the word “MOVING” printed on the front and cream-colored pants with blue accents and the word “FORWARD” on the pocket. Their heads are close together, and one baby’s hand rests near the other’s hand as they look slightly off to the side. — Hameem’s youngest, the twins

We want to stay in Gaza, in order to rebuild homes, hospitals, and schools, and everything that the occupation destroyed. So that life can return once again and we can provide our children with a decent life and education in schools. We want everyone to know that we love life.

You can support Haneen and her family via GoFundMe

Feijoa Dispatch

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?