In brief
In the heart of the turmoil, the Masri cousins have found solace with their grandmother, Kawther al-Masri, in the al-Mawasi tent camp of southern Gaza. They smile while playing in sand, but their smiles hide the horrific experiences they endured. The children previously lived in northern Gaza, but devastating Israeli airstrikes left them orphaned and traumatized. The UN agency, UNICEF, reports that over 17,000 children have been separated from their families since the war began.
Despite the grim circumstances, UNICEF has successfully reunited only 63 of these children. Kawther's journey to bring her grandchildren home comprised a lengthy and stressful process filled with uncertainty and fear as she navigated an Israeli military zone. However, the joy of reuniting with Janal, Maria, Jana, and Zeina was marred by deep sadness due to their status as orphans.Kawther recalls her heart-wrenching wait for her grandchildren, whom she had not seen for 14 months, and describes the overwhelming emotions of hugging them again. Every day, worries about their mental health and safety loom, as the children still fear bombings that disrupt their lives. With aid running low and winter closing in, the struggle to provide for these traumatized children continues. As Kawther seeks some sense of normalcy for her grandchildren, she yearns for a ceasefire, hoping to rebuild their futures without becoming lost amidst the chaos of war.
