IN the fragmented reality of Palestine, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip stand isolated, their connection severed. From my home in Ramallah, which is only 37 miles from Gaza, the gap feels huge due to Israeli restrictions that make short distances insurmountable. My friend Huda Amer, a fellow journalist, and I endure this reality, with our connection limited to infrequent, intermittent phone calls amid the ongoing bombardment.
Huda's family home in Gaza, a symbol of our shared dreams, was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike, separating us even more than before. Across the West Bank, countless families mourn the loss of their loved ones in Gaza and are overwhelmed by helplessness and guilt.
Amidst this turmoil, the story of newborn Kinan Sawarkah has had a profound impact. Born into the reverberations of war, Kinan was orphaned just three days after his birth after an Israeli airstrike killed his father Yousef and other relatives.
Miraculously, Kinan and his mother Islam Jamal survived. This tragedy underscores the relentless struggle of Palestinians to protect their newborns in the midst of chaos.
Yousef's memory lives on through a single photograph with Kinan, a poignant reminder of the fleeting father-son bond and the far-reaching, merciless conflict. This image, emblematic of the love extinguished in Gaza, illustrates the resilience of the enclave and the unspoken narratives.
The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are two Palestinian territories conquered by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. In total, over 5 million Palestinians live in the two territories.
The Gaza Strip is 140 sq km in size and is located in the southwestern corner of Israel on the Mediterranean coast. It also borders Egypt to the south.
The West Bank is another area that lies within Israel, but at 2,173 sq miles is much larger than the Gaza Strip.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Layers Of Lear
Director Rajat Kapoor and actor Vinay Pathak's ode to Shakespeare is an experience to behold
Loss and Longing
Memories can be painful, but they also make life more meaningful
Suprabhatham Sub Judice
M.S. Subbulakshmi decided the fate of her memorials a long time ago
Fortress of Desire
A performance titled 'A Streetcart Named Desire', featuring Indian and international artists and performers, explored different desires through an unusual act on a full moon night at the Gwalior Fort
Of Hope and Hopelessness
The body appears as light in Payal Kapadia's film
Ruptured Lives
A visit to Bangladesh in 2010 shaped the author's novel, a sensitively sketched tale of migrants' struggles
The Big Book
The Big Book of Odia Literature is a groundbreaking work that provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to the rich and varied literary traditions of Odisha
How to Refuse the Generous Thief
The poet uses all the available arsenal in English to write the most anti-colonial poetry
The Freedom Compartment
#traindiaries is a photo journal shot in the ladies coaches of Mumbai locals. It explores how women engage and familiarise themselves with spaces by building relationships with complete strangers
Love, Up in the Clouds
Manikbabur Megh is an unusual love story about a man falling for a cloud. Amborish Roychoudhury discusses the process of Manikbabu's creation with actor Chandan Sen and director Abhinandan Banerjee
