Paul Adams from the BBC has been in contact with a young graduate in Gaza for six years. Through her text messages, he has gained a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs she has faced during the ongoing conflict, as well as her concerns about the future.
On March 19, 2024, after weeks of silence, Asmaa Tayeh reappeared on WhatsApp, apologizing for the lack of communication due to poor internet connection and dangerous circumstances.
Since October 7, Asmaa has been intermittently sending messages, often late at night, as she navigates through the chaos of Gaza’s longest war. Despite the challenges, Asmaa, a recent graduate and entrepreneur, remains hopeful.
In October 2023, Asmaa had launched her own business, Star Café, but her life was drastically altered when violence erupted in the region. As the conflict escalated, Asmaa and her family faced the harsh realities of war, including bombings, displacement, and loss.
Despite the devastation, Asmaa continued to share her experiences with Paul Adams, detailing the horrors she witnessed and the resilience of her family. Through it all, Asmaa’s determination to survive and rebuild shone through, even in the darkest of times.
The place was extremely dirty, smelled of paint, and lacked essential items like a kitchen, mattresses, and water. Living with rats was a daily occurrence for them. They had to walk for hours to find clean water, crucial for making formula for Asmaa’s two-month-old nephew. They even used an Israeli weapons case as a stove for cooking. After a brief time in the shop, the Israeli army called Asmaa and told her they needed to leave for safety reasons. Despite her curiosity about Israelis, she had never met a soldier. Eventually, they returned home to Jabalia, where they struggled with food shortages. As the situation improved, they were able to eat better and even grow vegetables on the roof. However, the war came back, forcing them to move to a new area near the coast. After yet another displacement, Asmaa’s grandfather passed away, leaving her feeling devastated. When the Israeli forces finally left Jabalia, they returned to find their home damaged. Asmaa and the author had several conversations over the phone, discussing how the war had changed them. Asmaa expressed her constant anxiety and desire to leave Gaza. Despite the physical destruction, she was more concerned about the societal changes in Gaza. Los constantes golpes de la muerte, el desplazamiento y el trauma dejan barrios enteros tambaleándose al borde de la desintegración.
Comunidades unidas habían sido destrozadas, dijo, con miembros de la familia y vecinos dispersos por toda la franja de Gaza, y más allá.
A veces, en la lucha por sobrevivir, los gazatíes se habían vuelto unos contra otros. Un colapso total en la ley y el orden dejando a pandillas y familias rivales luchando por el control de recursos preciosos.
“Está volviéndose realmente normal ver a personas matándose entre ellas”, dijo Asmaa.
Pero si la guerra había sacado lo peor de las personas, también había sacado lo mejor.
En Jabalia, Asmaa dijo que la gente estaba compartiendo comida y agua, intercambiando las últimas noticias e información sobre dónde cargar los teléfonos móviles. Con productos alimenticios básicos una vez más escasos, las mujeres estaban intercambiando recetas improvisadas.
“Todos realmente se están cuidando unos a otros.”
Asmaa dijo que tomaría décadas para que los gazatíes se recuperaran de la vida magra y confinada que conocían antes del 7 de octubre. Las conversaciones desafiantes sobre la reconstrucción y la renovación, dijo, parecían ilusorias.
En cuanto a ella misma, el único sueño de Asmaa ahora era escapar.
“No tengo ninguna esperanza en este lugar”, me dijo. “No soy la misma persona de antes. No creo que me recuperaré.”