Insights: Key Considerations for Biden Regarding Gaza
The yearning to return to Gaza City echoes in my thoughts, evoked by the harrowing experience of fleeing my home in October due to the relentless bombings by Israel. This poignant reminder that safety remains elusive within the Gaza Strip resonates deeply.
Editor’s Note: Aseel Mousa is a journalist from Gaza City. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more CNN Opinion.
I have been constantly saying, “May we reunite in Gaza City soon,” ever since I had to leave my home in October to escape from Israel’s bombs. Unfortunately, I soon realized that there is no safe place within the Gaza Strip.
Aseel Mousa
Aseel Mousa
Ayesh Haroon
I have been staying in Rafah, a city located in the southernmost region of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, for the past two and a half months during this holy month of Ramadan. Along with me, there are approximately one and a half million other Palestinians living in this area.
We were forced out of our homes in the north by the Israeli military, and now we face the threat of a looming invasion. Aid groups have warned that it could turn into a "bloodbath" and we fear being expelled from Gaza completely.
The humanitarian crisis in Rafah, a small area covering only 25 square miles, is devastating and feels like an apocalypse.
Displaced individuals, many of whom have had to escape danger multiple times, can be seen everywhere. Sidewalks are filled with tents set up to provide shelter for them. Shockingly, the UN has reported that Rafah now has a higher population density than New York City.
In this environment, fear and anxiety are constant. People are struggling with extreme deprivation while living in tents, UN schools, and even out on the streets. The shortage of basic necessities such as food, water, and humanitarian aid in Gaza has been worsened by Israel's blockade for the past five months.
Hunger is always present, and canned goods are the only food available. People travel long distances to find clean water and wait in long lines to use the bathroom.
Palestinians wait to receive food as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues in Rafah, southern Gaza, on March 13.
Palestinians wait to receive food as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues in Rafah, southern Gaza, on March 13.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
We arrived in Rafah believing it was a "safe" zone according to Israel, but we are still facing bombings and violence by the Israeli military. They claim to be targeting Hamas, but it feels like all Palestinians in Gaza are being harmed, which the UN has criticized as "collective punishment."
I have been stuck in this terrifying cycle for five months now, unsure when it will come to an end.
On October 7, my usual routine in Gaza City was completely disrupted when Israel started a powerful military attack in response to Hamas' actions. I had planned to go to the gym in the morning and then attend a business meeting, but I never made it to either place. Both the gym and my office were badly damaged by Israel's bombing.
A week later, my cousin informed me that Israel was telling people to evacuate their homes and move south. The moments leading up to our evacuation will stay with me forever. Quickly, my family and I grabbed the bag we had prepared earlier, which only had our passports, important documents, and some cash.
Inexplicably, I felt compelled to capture a photograph of our house - a snapshot of the life we were leaving behind.
Aseel Mousa
We thought we wouldn't be gone for long, so we didn't pack many clothes. Before leaving, I felt a strong urge to take a picture of our house, a memory of the life we were saying goodbye to.
With the key in hand, we said goodbye to our cherished home of more than 23 years and headed towards Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the heart of the Gaza Strip, surrounded by many other displaced individuals.
During our journey, I couldn't help but think about the stories my grandfather shared about leaving his village of Aqir in 1948. It was a time when most Palestinians were forced to leave their homes when Israel was established. Just like many others, we were moving towards an unknown future.
We stayed in Al-Maghazi for almost 80 days, living in a crowded house with about 30 other displaced family members. The conditions were terrible. Every night, we faced Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling, unsure if we would survive.
As elsewhere throughout Gaza, Israel ruthlessly destroyed essential infrastructure in the small camp, including the sole bakery, the mosque, and UNRWA schools.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's daughters Bessan, 21, Mayar, 15, and Ayah, 13, who died after an Israeli tank shell hit their home in Gaza, in January 2009.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's daughters Bessan, 21, Mayar, 15, and Ayah, 13, who died after an Israeli tank shell hit their home in Gaza, in January 2009.
Courtesy Izzeldin Abuelaish
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Unfortunately, my cousins' home was hit by a bombing that resulted in the tragic deaths of nine family members, many of whom were children. We were forced to flee to Rafah at the end of December due to continued airstrikes.
The International Court of Justice and a US Federal Court have both stated that Israel's military actions in Gaza could be considered genocide. However, for those of us directly affected by these events, it was evident even without the official rulings.
Israel's attack in the last five months has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians, with a heartbreaking number of 13,000 children and 9,000 women among them. Tragically, thousands more are still missing and believed to have perished, while over 70,000 others have sustained injuries.
The relentless assault has forced 90% of the population to leave their homes, leaving them with no choice but to seek refuge in Rafah, with no other safe haven to escape to.
President Joe Biden has consistently supported Israel's military actions with extensive military, financial, and diplomatic aid. This unwavering support has played a crucial role in allowing Israel to carry out its attacks on Gaza, leading the US to be viewed as complicit in what the UN and human rights organizations consider grave war crimes.
It is puzzling how President Biden can reconcile his actions with his professed empathy for others. Shouldn't Palestinians also be seen as human beings who deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else?
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I, like many others, have started to doubt international law and the international community. Western leaders such as Biden talk about human rights but at the same time support Israel's continuous violations of them.
It's devastating when the foundations of our hopes start to fall apart. Who can we turn to for help in this situation?
I recently narrowly avoided death in Gaza City and Al-Maghazi, and now I'm worried about my survival in Rafah. To prevent a complete disaster, it's crucial for Biden and the international community to take quick action. They need to stop a large-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah and make sure essential humanitarian aid can get through.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the harrowing experiences of Aseel Mousa, a Gazan journalist forced to flee her home amidst Israel's relentless military operations. Her vivid portrayal of the devastating humanitarian crisis in Rafah, where over one and a half million displaced Palestinians now reside, is a grim indictment of Israel's collective punishment of an entire population. The shortage of basic necessities, the relentless bombings, and the constant fear and anxiety paint a picture of an unfolding apocalypse within a densely populated city.
While Israel justifies its
