New Delhi: The site on which Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood stands was once called Maiuma and was declared a city by Constantine the Great. However, it has now been reduced to debris after days of Israeli airstrikes. Suzan Barzak, a mathematics teacher at The American International School in Gaza, lived in Rimal and experienced the horrifying ordeal with her family. The Hamas group’s attacks on Israeli streets prompted them to seek safety on the first floor of their apartment building, alongside other families. Speaking to NDTV, Barzak described the traumatic experiences of their children, who asked difficult questions and constantly feared for their lives.
The bombings escalated, and the Israeli Defense Army ordered them to evacuate, leading them to leave everything behind and seek refuge at their uncle’s house in Gaza City. The destruction they witnessed on their way was overwhelming, with bombs exploding and buildings collapsing. The airstrikes continued, and the family huddled together in one room, enduring a 12-hour nightmare. Their relatives who went out to get supplies and check on their homes returned with stories of downtown Gaza being devastated. The once thriving city has been reduced to rubble, leaving everyone broken.
Israel has responded to Hamas’ attack with intense airstrikes, vowing to eliminate the group. The Gaza Strip is in a dire situation, with no power, water, or international assistance. The Palestinians fear a second “Nakba” similar to the 1948 exodus that displaced thousands of Palestinians from their homes. Over 423,000 Gazans have been displaced, with many seeking shelter in UNRWA schools and other public buildings. Barzak pleaded for help, emphasizing the innocence of the children and their right to live in peace.
