Plea from a teenage student in Gaza

Nour Kharma, Counterpunch, 12 January 2009

Will I die too?

Today, it is the two weeks of this horrible war. Last Saturday was the worst day of all. When I woke up in the morning one of my friends called. His voice sounded strange when I asked, “How are you?”. He answered “Fine, but have you heard any news about any of your friends?”

I was really scared, and asked him, “What’s wrong?”

He told me Christine died. I went into a state of shock. I still don’t believe it. I threw the phone and started crying. I called some of my other friends to make sure, and all of them were grieving. Christine has been my friend for almost four years. We used to go to school and to the YMCA together. I’m sad, afraid, and worried all at once, because she could have been my sister. I feel very sorry for her and her family.

Her parents did the best they can do, but it wasn’t enough, so the result was death. What if my parents can’t protect me and give me the support I need…will I die too?

My future is almost destroyed.

An Israeli rocket hit my school a few days ago, and the school was destroyed completely. I really can’t imagine why they’re bombing religious and educational places such as mosques, schools, and universities.

With every explosion we feel our house shaking and about to be destroyed; what about the people that already lost their homes?

I’m crying for the loss of one of my friends… what about the people that lost five of their relatives or more?

Depression and fear are filling our souls and surrounding our homes…what’s next?

I don’t wish for anything as much as I wish that this war will end soon and that the Palestinian people can live like any other people and Palestinian children can enjoy their childhood like any children in the world.

Help us – because we are all human beings!

Nour Kharma is in the 9th Grade. She lives in Gaza City and can be reached at: nirmeen.elsarraj@gmail.com

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