July 11th 2024.
Tarneem is an incredible woman who works tirelessly for Medical Aid for Palestinians. She has dedicated her life to helping those in need, and it is a true honor to work alongside her.
Every time I step into a hospital in Gaza, my heart breaks. The atrocities and injuries I witness are unspeakable. It is a constant reminder of the horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on one another.
I remember one particular incident that still haunts me. I was standing next to a resuscitation room in Al-Aqsa Hospital, where doctors were desperately trying to save a nine-year-old child. Despite their efforts, the child could not be saved, and they had to sedate him to ease his suffering as he passed away. The sound of his mother's screams echoed throughout the building, and to this day, they still echo in my nightmares.
Since the start of the Israeli bombardment in October, I have been working tirelessly with my colleagues at Medical Aid for Palestinians to provide emergency response and support to those affected. However, every task comes with its own set of challenges, whether it's due to impassable roads or the constant threat of bombing.
Living in Gaza has never been easy for Tarneem. She was born in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents but moved to Gaza when she was 10 years old. Despite the constant struggles caused by Israel's occupation and blockade, she managed to lead a relatively decent life. However, the blockade hangs like a dark cloud over everyone's work, lives, and passions.
Despite the challenges, Gaza still felt like a place of opportunity for Tarneem. She was able to pursue her education and build a career, and even had the opportunity to travel to other parts of the Middle East, the US, and the UK. After earning her Master's degree at Durham University, she returned home in 2022 and joined MAP, where she works tirelessly to advocate for Palestinians' rights to health and dignity.
But everything changed in October of last year when the war broke out. Suddenly, Tarneem's life was turned upside down, and she had to become a rapid response humanitarian. Her days are now spent delivering much-needed assistance to her community, whether it's distributing hygiene kits, clothes, or medical supplies, or providing shelter and support to displaced families.
The situation in Gaza is dire, and the constant lack of water, electricity, and basic necessities weighs heavily on Tarneem's mind. But the most terrifying of all is the ever-present fear of death. According to the health ministry, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military, and the true death toll could be even higher. Tarneem has lost two uncles and 13 cousins, and three of them are still buried under the rubble. It's a loss that is immeasurable, and the responsibility of caring for their six young children now falls on her grieving family.
The recent news of her cousin being killed while searching for bread is a harsh reminder of the constant danger that surrounds them. And even in death, there is no closure, as proper funerals cannot be held due to the ongoing conflict.
Tarneem has developed a ritual of keeping a bottle of water within reach while sleeping, as it may be her only lifeline if she becomes trapped under rubble. With over 10,000 people reported missing, many of them under the rubble, it's a terrifying thought. She recently had to move from Rafah, which was designated as a "safe zone," due to the most recent invasion. Every day, she doesn't know if she will return home from work, and when she does, she wonders if she will be killed or injured in her sleep.
One particularly harrowing day at Al-Aqsa Hospital, Tarneem and her colleagues heard a massive bombardment nearby. Within minutes, the emergency department was filled with patients, and there weren't enough beds for everyone. She remembers seeing an old woman, covered in blood and lying on the floor, waiting for medical attention. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and it was a haunting reminder of the horrors of war.
Through it all, Tarneem's cat, Beasty, has been her constant companion. She has become a survivor, just like them. Despite not always having enough food to feed her, Beasty always offers comfort and companionship when Tarneem needs it most. It's as if she can sense her mental state and wants to provide some solace.
But amidst all the chaos and tragedy, Tarneem holds on to hope. She misses her family dearly, and her biggest worry is her mother, who requires medical support for a chronic condition that is not available in Gaza. She hopes that the international community will take notice of the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and uphold international law, bring about a ceasefire, and end the occupation of Palestine.
Medical Aid for Palestinians' life-saving work relies on the safe and unhindered movement of aid supplies and workers, which is a struggle in Gaza. Even their own team has been affected, with a house they were staying in being destroyed by an Israeli airstrike.
Tarneem has lost so much in this war, but she remains determined to survive and help rebuild Gaza for the sake of future generations. Her heart breaks for all the friends and loved ones she has lost, and she can't help but wonder if she will be next. But until then, she will keep fighting to stay alive and provide aid to those in need. And she will continue to take care of Beasty, who has been her source of comfort and strength through these difficult times.
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