Palestinian couple in Gaza step in to raise 36 orphaned grandchildren

Key Concepts:

• Orphaned children in Gaza due to war
• Elderly couple acting as guardians for grandchildren
• Scarcity of basic necessities (food, water, shelter)
• Psychological impact of war (stress, fear, grief)
• Resilience and hope in the face of adversity
• The importance of family and belonging

Guardianship in the Ruins of Gaza

The transcript details the profound responsibility undertaken by Hammed Eliawa and his wife Fida, an elderly couple in Gaza who have become the sole caregivers for their 36 orphaned grandchildren. These children have lost their parents in the ongoing conflict, leaving Hammed and Fida to bear the immense weight of their loss and provide for their basic needs.

Daily Struggles and Emotional Toll

Hammed, at 60 years old, describes waking up at 3:00 AM daily to bathe and feed the children, a task that causes him immense stress due to his age and the sheer scale of the responsibility. Their home has been destroyed, forcing them to live amidst the rubble. The availability of basic necessities like food and water is severely limited. The constant presence and sound of drones contribute to a pervasive sense of fear and sleeplessness, with the ever-present anxiety of renewed conflict.

Fida expresses her deep grief, having lost five sons. She states, "I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them. I missed them deeply. My heart aches for them. My sons meant everything to me. They were the reason I kept going." Her current focus is on caring for their injured children, a daily struggle to secure food, fetch clean water, and ensure the safety of the younger ones. The children face an uncertain future with no guarantees of permanent shelter or the certainty of tomorrow.

Finding Family and Hope Amidst Destruction

The narrative emphasizes that Hammed and Fida's lives are no longer about their own survival but about providing these children with a sense of family and belonging, even within the devastated landscape of Gaza. The saying in Gaza, "the dead are gone, but the living must carry the memory," highlights the burden of remembrance. However, the transcript points to the strength found in their familial bonds: "But what they do have is one another. And in Gaza sometimes that the only thing that keeps hope alive for these children." For these orphaned grandchildren, their grandparents represent not just family but their entire world, their "home city Palestine."

Conclusion

The transcript paints a stark picture of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on the resilience and unwavering dedication of an elderly couple providing a lifeline of care and love to their orphaned grandchildren amidst unimaginable loss and hardship. Their actions underscore the profound importance of family, belonging, and the enduring human spirit in the face of war and destruction.