Life Before the Resumption of Conflict
In the weeks leading up to the devastating Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that shattered a two-month cease-fire on March 18, there were moments when Huda Abu Teir and her family dared to dream of a return to normalcy. After enduring 15 months of relentless conflict, they had been displaced multiple times—six or seven times, to be precise—moving from their home to various shelters, including tents and encampments.
Eventually, they returned to their residence in Abasan al-Kabira, located in southeastern Gaza, where they lived alongside Huda’s grandparents and uncles. It was a bittersweet homecoming, filled with both relief and the weight of past traumas.
A few weeks ago, in a rare moment of joy, Huda, a spirited 19-year-old, decided to celebrate with her cousins by hosting a pizza party. Fatma al-Shawwaf, her 20-year-old cousin, recounted how the other girls playfully chided Huda, asking, “Shouldn’t you be studying?” Huda, who had always been dedicated to her studies and aspired to become a nurse, responded with laughter, asserting that she enjoyed having fun too.
On the eve of the renewed airstrikes, Huda expressed her eagerness to prepare for her high school exams. She approached her Uncle Nour, who taught technology, asking if he could assist her in reviewing the material. He agreed, promising a study session for the following evening.
However, the night took a harrowing turn. Around midnight, Huda’s younger brother, Abdullah, just 15 years old, was jolted awake by a loud explosion. “What was that?” he cried out in panic to their father, but before he could receive a response, another blast rocked their surroundings, echoing ominously above and beneath them.
