Fear and Resilience: The Untold Story of a Gaza Family Amidst Israel's War on Hamas

Ahmed Arafat, a 26-year-old Palestinian-American residing in Gaza, finds solace in a makeshift tent while enveloped in a warm blanket. The echoes of Israeli military drones permeate the night sky, instilling a sense of unease.

Among the limited possessions he could salvage, Arafat clings to a red and white blanket as a symbol of familiarity. Facing the urgent need to escape, he and his family hastily abandoned their residence in Gaza City's al-Rimal neighborhood. Just moments before their departure, they were alerted via text message from the Israeli military, notifying them of the imminent airstrike targeting their five-story building.

Ignoring the warning meant risking the loss of his wife, two young children, and other family members who resided in the building. Arafat, speaking in a phone interview with CNN, emphasized that this was not an option. Meanwhile, his parents and siblings awaited anxiously, thousands of miles away, desperate for any news of his safety.

However, the warning quickly transitioned into a devastating reality. The once lively business district and social hub of al-Rimal in the city were reduced to rubble. The constant airstrikes mercilessly destroyed homes, offices, schools, and places of worship. The number of casualties remains uncertain, but nearby hospitals were inundated with a staggering number of victims.

"Theyve been hitting everything. Its appalling," Arafat said. "Theyre just killing indiscriminately at this point."

Al-Rimal neighborhood,where the Arafat family lived, is seen on October 10, after a barrage of Israeli airstrikes turned it to rubble.

Loay Ayyoub/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Arafat and his family have been constantly moving from one home to another, seeking refuge with friends and relatives. They continuously face danger, as they have to escape to a new location whenever their current area becomes unsafe. There seems to be no respite, with frequent bombings occurring in their vicinity. Arafat spoke amidst the sounds of explosions, emphasizing that the bombings persist relentlessly day and night.

Arafat's family, residing in a neighboring residence filled with women and children, is part of the approximately 2 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged territory. The Israeli military is bombarding this area in response to a lethal operation by Hamas in Israel on October 7. As a result of this attack, the militants caused the death of at least 1,400 individuals and have taken about 200 hostages, who are believed to be currently held in Gaza.

What remains of Maisara Baroud's building after Israeli airstrikes turned it to rubble.

Courtesy Marisara Baroud

Palestinians in Gaza lack a secure refuge from the bombings unleashed by Israel. In response to Hamas, Israel has declared war, imposing severe measures such as the discontinuation of electricity, fuel, and water supply to the region. Moreover, their massive military operation has raised concerns of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, as emphasized by Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 2,750 Palestinians, including over 700 children, have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli strikes. Arafat described the situation as genocide and expressed his shock at the high level of killing. He emphasized that people are being targeted in their homes without any prior warning, unlike the text message he had received before an Israeli strike.

His children are deeply upset. In an attempt to calm them down, he assures them that the bombings are merely "volcanic sneezes" and nothing to be concerned about. Although his 1-year-old daughter is too young to question this explanation, he worries that his 3-year-old son is too old to believe that the Earth could unleash such devastation.

"He understands what's going on," Arafat remarked, further expressing that his son wakes up multiple times throughout the night, crying due to the loud noises and vibrations caused by the attacks.

As a father, his primary objective is to ensure his family stays ahead of future military attacks. However, he frequently contemplates the possibility of not being able to witness his children's journey through kindergarten.

Ahmed Arafat, 26, is trying to find a way back to the US from Gaza, where Israel has declared a war on Hamas following the militant group's deadly attack on October 7.

Courtesy Hisham Arafat

We just sit next to the TV and pray

More than 6,500 miles away, in Memphis, Tennessee, Anita Arafat sits at home with her eyes glued to the television screen.

"We sit by the TV, praying for God's grace as we watch these buildings crumble," she shared. "Sleep eludes me, and our eating habits have become irregular." Constantly switching between the television and phone screens, her eyes and head throb, as she desperately searches for a shred of uplifting news.

In moments of heightened restlessness, Anita Arafat finds herself pacing back and forth in her living room, her heart burdened with worry for her son Ahmed Arafat, her grandchildren, and their entire extended family.

They recently had a phone conversation. Before ending the call, Anita Arafat requested her son to recite the shahada, an Islamic declaration of faith often recited during times of great peril. Due to unreliable electricity and reception, she has only received updates about his safety through acquaintances and relatives.

"He isn't fearful of the Israelis," she mentioned, though she remains concerned that tensions might intensify. "He worries about his wife, children, grandmother, and uncles. However, Ahmed possesses strength inherited from a resilient family."

Anita Arafat first met her husband, Ashraf, at the age of 16 in Ogden, Utah, where he, a Palestinian immigrant, was studying in college. The couple tied the knot soon after and relocated to Gaza. Anita spent over a decade in Gaza, developing a deep appreciation for Palestinian culture and forming enduring friendships. Together, they raised six children, with Ahmed Arafat being the sole child who still resides in Gaza.

Ahmed Arafat, back right, with his brother Sameh beside him. In the front seat are his brother Hisham, right, and father Ashraf.

Anita Arafat, now 54, shares, "I have a deep connection with those individuals I grew up with. They guided me in learning how to pray and speak Arabic. Additionally, my mother-in-law imparted her cooking skills and taught me how to be a supportive wife. Thus, those children and individuals are not simply my in-laws, but rather, they are my cherished family."

After residing in Gaza for an extended period, the retired educator is well acquainted with the horrors of war - yet the current situation feels distinct. "It is evident this time that Israel is making a deliberate effort to obliterate Gaza entirely," she asserted.

BELAL AL SABBAGH / AFP via Getty Images: This aerial photograph depicts buildings that have been extensively damaged as a result of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10, 2023. On that day, Israel launched a series of attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza and announced the discovery of the bodies of 1,500 Islamist militants in southern towns that had been recaptured by the army after intense battles near the Palestinian enclave.

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The reports of entire families losing their lives in their homes, with concrete walls collapsing all around, deeply disturb both her and her husband. The mere possibility that their own family could suffer a similar fate is unbearable to them.

"It has been an overwhelming week," remarked Ashraf Arafat. "I find myself glued to the TV, and even at work, I cannot help but be distracted by my phone. It seems like my phone is always in my hand, no matter the time."

The school principal, who is 58 years old, dedicates countless hours to perusing through WhatsApp and Facebook group chats, tirelessly searching for any new developments from Gaza. "My fear of missing important news about my loved ones is so intense. I anxiously wait to hear if something happens to my brothers, siblings, mother, uncles, basically everyone," he shared.

"The people of Gaza deserve to live peacefully and freely," he added.

For now, all Ashraf and Anita Arafat can do is watch the news and pray for a ceasefire.

Dreaming of a life without worry

Ahmed Arafat began moving his family from Gaza City to the south after the Israeli military notified more than 1 million residents last week that it would be safer there.

Despite the 140 square mile expanse of the territory, he has had to proceed cautiously to safeguard the unity of his family and find refuge from the continuous onslaught of Israeli airstrikes. A single error in judgment could result in grave consequences for their lives.

Being a US national, Arafat is optimistic about leading his family to safety across the southern Rafah border into Egypt. Initial reports indicated that Americans would be granted passage on Saturday, as well as on Sunday. However, since his arrival on Saturday, this expectation has not been realized.

The Israeli prime minister's office denied any plans to open the Rafah border crossing on Monday, while Egypt blamed Israel for the ongoing closure. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured on Sunday that the crossing "will be open" and that the US, along with the UN, Egypt, Israel, and other parties, were collaborating to coordinate aid initiatives. Arafat stated that diplomatic disputes and an Israeli airstrike that damaged a road leading to the border crossing have hindered the ability to leave.

From the border, he expressed his concern in a text message, saying, "If I can't find a way to bring my wife and kids to safety, I'll have no choice but to return. I yearn for a life for them, free from any worries."

Arafat had devised a plan to establish a camp near a school, where his wife and children, along with numerous other families, could find refuge. It would be a place where they could nurture the hope of crossing the border one day.

"It could be weeks. It could be days. … It could be tomorrow morning. Who knows how long. I dont know," he said.