Gaza: Whispers of the Shattered Sky

Chapter 6

Poet Salim Al-Nafar

Salim was a refugee from Jaffa who resided in the Al-Nafar refugee camp in Gaza. He was accompanied by his kids and wife.

He was very involved in society's welfare and never missed a chance to lend anyone a helping hand in need. Many of his friends called him the heart of gold. He was known for his empathy and kindness. In his writings and poetry, he always showed love for his homeland and the place he resided in Jaffa.

Salim's poetry and writings were quite famous in the local circles. He contributed to the culture of Palestine through his writings and poetry.

He bore his share of grief, struggles and hardships. Through his endurance, his writings and poetry became more powerful and impactful.

Salim was killed (martyred) along with his family on December 7, 2023, when an airstrike wiped away his home from the face of the earth. Along with his wife and kids, his brother's wife and children were also killed (martyered) by that airstrike.

Salim is no more but his legacy will remain and will be remembered in the form of his writings and poetry.

Child Rasha Abu Jahal

Nothing is more sorrowful than a child's demise. Children are innocent and their laughter lit up the darkest corners of life for their parents and for all around them.

Rasha was born in Gaza. Beautiful, adorable, always smiling Rasha is no more with us. She was almost three years old.

On December 1, 2023 Rasha was killed (martyred) when her home and her neighbourhood got bombarded. Her mother and siblings all became the victims of that strike.

Little Rasha became an angel of heaven.

Rasha is survived by her father, who while remembering his family and Rasha constantly, has almost turned into a living dead.

Child Yara

Yara was killed (martyred). Subjected to an airstrike on her home. She as all children loved toys. One of her dolls was her favourite one, whom she used to cuddle all the time. The most grieving part is that Yara's body remained trapped under the rubble of her house for three days. Until her body was discovered by the rescue workers along with her doll.

same bombardment.

Rasha is survived by her father, who remembering his family has almost turned into a living dead. Yara was born in Gaza, and different videos of her holding her doll and telling it not to worry or get scared of the shelling surfaced internet. Yara was so full of life and had a bright future ahead of her. Not any details are there about the parents of Rasha available. But what circulating videos tell us is, that the girl who was reassuring his doll not to get scared and all would be OK soon.

Bilal Abu Samaan

Bilal was a kind, gentel soul. He was known for his pleasant and helpful persona. For any problem big or small, he was always among the first ones to offer any help he could.

Among the Palestinian youth, his stature was of a star. He was the coach of the Palestinian athletics team. He also worked as a Physical education teacher at the American School in the Gaza Strip.

Since October 7, 2023, when the airstrikes on Gaza started, Bilal went to assist the medical teams and rescue workers to help them rescue those who got killed (martyred) and were trapped under the rubble. His humanitarian efforts were appreciated by the medical, and rescue teams and by the local people.

As per routine Bilal was working with the rescue and medical teams when an airstrike hit a house in Khan Yunis. Bilal along with the other rescue and relief workers rushed to the site to save lives and help people who were trapped under the rubble. He was doing his work when suddenly in the same area, same site another airstrike hit.

This airstrike claimed the life of Bilal (martyred) along with his few other fellow workers. Bilas's demise asks us all a question, the helper became the victim what can be more tragic than this?

Bilal is survived by his children Hussam and Yousef who are now orphaned, and who miss their father with every passing second. His family lost their son and brother and his wife lost her devoted, loving husband.

Lubna Elian

Lubna was a teenager only 14 years old. She was talented, beautiful and full of life. Lubna was known as the Musician in the making among the Gaza's youth. She was not only a talented musician but was doing very well in her academics.

Lubna studied music at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Gaza. Lubna often played Violin at her school and Academy functions to show her talent.

Lubna aimed to be ranked in the world's best Voilion Artists one day. Sadly this dream of hers remained unfulfilled.

Lubna was killed (martyered) along with her 45 family members on 21 November 2023 when an airstrike targeted the area where her residence was. The whole neighbourhood in seconds wiped off from the face of the earth along with Lubna. What was left behind was just rubble of hopes, dreams, demolished homes, and human remains.

Youssef Hani Salem

Youssef was a talented designer. He was lively, charming and always smiling. In Youssef's family and friends circles, he was adored because of his pleasant personality. After making his place in the designing field he took another important step in his life. He decided to get married.

Youssef was only married for a year. In the same year, Youseef's daughter came into this world. His happiness knows no bounds. He made so many plans for her daughter's bright future. He wanted to excel in his career so he could support his family better and take care of their every need.

Yousef was killed (martyred) on October 31, 2023, in Gaza when his home was bombarded with several others in the Shati Refugee Camp. Youssef left behind her daughter infant Yasmin who is now orphaned before she even knew her father or could recognize him. Imagine the pain and grief of his newlywed wife and parents.

His wife has become lifeless and his parents mourn the demise of their loving son day in and day out.

Malak Mansour

Malak was 21 yeras old. The meaning of her name in Arabic is an angel....and she became one. She was angelic, polite and always caring for others. She studied at the Islamic University in Gaza. Among her family and friends, Malak had a special place because of her positive presence and beautiful heart and soul. She had many dreams and wanted to travel and see the world.

Malak was killed (martyred) along with her father, sisters and sister's daughter on October 25, 2023, when an airstrike hit their home in Gaza.

Islam Hatht

Islam was 19 years old. He was the most beloved son of his mother. He also loved her mother dearly. He grew up facing hardships and struggles like most of the kids of Gaza. He aimed high, was good at his studies and was always ready for community work. Islam was studying media and wanted to become a Journalist.

Islam was very focused on his studies because he wanted to make his mother proud by scoring the highest numbers when graduating.

After 7 October 2023, Islam's family migrated from Gaza to the shelter as they were facing the worst circumstances, food shortages and bombardment was very intense in their area.

His friends remember that the day before Islam was killed (martyred) he told his friends, "No one knows in this situation which we are facing who remains safe and who dies". Then he wished his friends well and told them to take care of themselves and their families.

November 5, 2023, Islam and his brother Osama went to their previous home to look for some food items and clothes. On their way to their previous home, an airstrike happened. That strike killed (martyred) instantly. Among those who were killed (martyred), Islam and Osama were killed (martyred) too.

May Gamal Mustafa

May was 35 years old. May was known and respected for her work. May was a social worker and a feminist. She always raised her voice for pressed, harassed and abused women. And for those who were facing difficulties. She worked for the women of Egypt along with Gaza.

Through her social work, she impacted many lives. Brought smiles on many grieving faces. After 7 October 2023, when things got worse in Gaza, May tried for her family and herself to travel to Egypt through the Rafah crossing. However, her efforts remained unsuccessful.

May was residing with her family in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza. Her colleagues were quite worried for her safety. Uulikely what her colleagues feared became her reality....on November 2, 2023, an airstrike hit May's home and area and May along with her family were killed (martyered) because of it.

May's colleagues mourn her death on social media saying, "Today we have lost a

compassionate, impactful individual in this cruel world. Farewell May, farewell humanity".

Artist Inas Al-Saqa

Inas was 53 years old. She was among the first women artists who worked in Gaza's theatre. She was intelligent, smart and a very realistic actor. Her performances were remarkable. Among her notable pieces of work, "Women of Gaza" and "Job's Patience" were highly appreciated. These two plays were created to highlight what women and children of Gaza faced in the 2014 war.

In one of Ina's theatrical scenes, she said out loud delivering a monologue "My children the world knows my children are under the rubble".

Look at the irony of time....this tragic scene became her reality with countless others in Gaza. In the heart of Gaza City on October 31, 2023, Inas Al-Saqa was killed (martyred) in an airstrike at her home and area along with her daughters and son.

The body of her son Ibrahim was recovered the next day from under the rubble of their home by rescue workers.

Two of her daughters Rita and Farah survived inas but they are also injured badly.