“Sometimes I wish someone would call ‘cut!’ and tell me this is just a film. But it’s not. It’s our reality,” said Noor Ali Abu Nadaa, a 31-year-old Palestinian teacher, mother of three and a war widow. She told Salar News about her story of devastation, resilience and hope in Gaza.

On 7 October, 2023, Noor’s world was forever altered as Israel began its assault against Gaza. Like for many in Gaza, the initial days were of fear and hope. As the war progressed, what was thought as a mere trial became a nightmarish reality, which resulted in the loss of her husband, Bilal.

On 17 December, 2023, Noor's life took a devastating turn. Bilal, who had stepped out to aid in the rescue of neighbours who had been bombed, was killed in an attack. As the news of Bilal’s death arrived, Noor — who had fled with her children and father-in-law to escape the bombing — was left alone to navigate the brutality of war.

“Bilal was my rock. He always reassured me, even in chaos. I remember his final words: ‘Do not be afraid. Nothing will happen to us except what God has decreed.’ It was his way of comforting me, even as the world crumbled around us. But then, in an instant, he was gone,” she said.

Bilal and Noor’s love story began at Al-Aqsa University where they were classmates. Their relationship blossomed into enduring love, which culminated into marriage. The two Gazans built a family of five with their three boys: Hossam, Yousef, and Ali.

“Bilal and I built a life full of love,” Noor mused. “Now, I’m left with the memories of what we had and the harsh reality of what remains. The war has changed everything.”

Noor’s story is not unique. There are countless people like Noor, each with their own story of loss and survival. The widows who mourn their spouses, the parents who bury their children, the children who will grow up without knowing the love of a parent — all lives mangled by the war unleashed by Israel.

Noor shares her story of grief and resilience on social media to show the world the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. “I initially hesitated to share our suffering. After Bilal died, I had to find a way to cope. Writing became my outlet, a way of showing the world our suffering.”

As the world grows indifferent to the suffering in Gaza, and as journalists become targets themselves, Noor feels that the people of Gaza have been left feeling like spectators to their suffering, with the world watching but failing to act.

“The world’s attention has moved on. It feels like we are forgotten, left to suffer in silence while the world looks away,” she added.

Families with children live in tents near bombed-out schools in Gaza. PHOTO: UNICEF

Life before vs now

Noor had a happy childhood in Gaza with her parents and 10 siblings — six sisters and four brothers. Though her education was often disrupted by conflict, she pursued a degree in Physical Education, getting a job as a PE teacher in a local school, which was destroyed by bombing.

Before Israel's assault on Gaza, Noor's neighbourhood was a safe haven. It had stood untouched by the earlier waves of destructions. But this time, no corner was spared. Houses, mosques, schools, and even trees were consumed by the indiscriminate bombings.

“The destruction is beyond words. Our once safe spaces are now just memories. We watch in disbelief as everything we knew was wiped away,” she said.

“As a teacher, I strived to inspire my students,” Noor said. However, now she is not even sure how many of her students have died in the war. The education system, already fragile, faces disruptions due to the increased bombing. Her biggest concern is for her eight-year-old son, Hossam, who is yet to experience schooling.

According to reports, 90 per cent of Gaza schools are damaged. At least 133 schools in Gaza now shelter over 1.9 million displaced people, far exceeding their capacity. Higher education centres, including universities, are paralysed. Many Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on UN-run schools sheltering displaced individuals.

“My greatest fear is for my children’s future. What kind of world are we leaving for them? How will they ever recover from this?” she questioned.

The impact on children has been profound. Psychological scars such as nail-biting, bedwetting, and night terrors are just the beginning. Many children are now homeless, orphaned, and in desperate need of medical care.

Noor’s three-year-old niece, Iman, fell victim to shrapnel during a bombing adding to Noor’s grief. “Iman was our ray of sunshine. Losing her was a crushing blow. We fled with her body in our arms, only to arrive at the hospital too late. Man’s cruelty snuffed out her joy,” she said.

‘Unbearable days’

Nights, once dreaded for their bombings, have given way to days filled with new horrors - lack of food being one of them. Food supplies are scarce with people living on legumes and canned food for months. The blockade has driven up prices dramatically. A packet of diapers costs $100 (Rs 83,000). Extreme weather and the absence of electricity have also exacerbated the Gazans' suffering.

“The days are almost unbearable. We wake up to a harsh reality — tents, open fires, and a constant battle for clean water. It feels like a dystopian nightmare,” she added.

Families with children are living on the streets or in bombed-out schools, sleeping on rubble and dirt. Everything is a struggle - food, water, and finding a bathroom as Israel's military ordered multiple evacuations even in the safe zones. Recently, Israel forced 4,00,000 people to leave Southeast Gaza.

“I’ve always taught about human rights. But now, I see how hollow those ideals are when faced with the stark reality of our suffering. It’s hard to teach my children about justice and rights when the world around us seems to ignore these principles,” she said.

Constant evacuations

After her husband’s death, Noor’s brothers took her to Rafah, where she moved four times. When Rafah was invaded on 8 May, 2024, they went to the centre of the sector Maghazi Governorate.

“I am now in my father's relatives' house, partially bombed but repaired. We live here, unsure if we will stay or move again, or perhaps die. Displacement feels like death walking on two legs. I wake my children, grab what I can, and run with no destination. We run, then decide where to hide next,” she said.

Israel has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians. The list of those identified is 532 pages long, with over 9,300 names belonging to children.

Amid all this suffering, Noor’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. “Despite everything, I hold on to hope. Hope that one day, this war will end and my children will know a world of peace,” she added. -Salar News