“We lie in the tent, drenched in sweat as if we’re being fried in hot oil. The sweat covers our faces, we taste its saltiness, it burns our eyes, and turns into a sticky substance between our skin and clothes. We come to hate ourselves.” 

These words reflect the reality faced by Hazem Mohamed Nasr, a second-year medical student at the Islamic University of Gaza, who endured 170 days of hardship in a tent after the war destroyed his home in northern Gaza’s Al-Touama area, taking with it his family’s lifetime savings.

This suffering is shared by 2.4 million residents of Gaza who have lived under relentless bombardment and devastation since October 7th. The past year has left nothing untouched – homes, universities, schools, mosques, and all facets of life have been annihilated, scattering families through death and displacement.

Hazem, whose family’s home was demolished by the occupation, moved from Al-Touam to Sheikh Radwan, and then again to the UNRWA area in Khan Younis, an area the occupation claimed to be safe. He recounts with profound sadness: “In the tent, we faced harsh winters with cold and dampness under heavy rains and scorching summers where everything was unbearably hot – the mattress, pillow, blanket, water jug, cups, dishes, sand, towel, and even the single chair in the tent. Even drinking water, meant to relieve the heat, was so hot you could see bubbles rising from the cup, exacerbating our thirst. Ants, mosquitoes, and all sorts of insects found refuge on our bodies, leaving bites that gnawed at our skin. The tent became a fertile ground for lizards, rats, scorpions, and insects of all kinds, testing one’s patience beyond imagination.”

He continues to describe the dearth of basic necessities – no water, no shelter, no clean food. Hunger gnawed at our empty stomachs, and with no internet, we were cut off from communication.

After two months, we were displaced again, this time to Rafah under bombardment – a relentless cycle of displacement. In Gaza, one doesn’t just die once; you die a thousand times a day while still clinging to life.

Determined to seek a path to safety and a semblance of normalcy, my brother Youssef, a first-year medical student, and I decided to chase our dreams of continuing our studies despite the unbearable conditions. We managed to travel with coordination and at a cost of $5,000 each. Our family remained in Khan Younis.

In Egypt, we found accommodation in “Zagazig”. Despite the challenges – no work, no income, and a lengthy road ahead for continuing our education – we were blessed to hear about An-Najah National University’s “Hand in Hand” initiative. This program extended a lifeline to our future. We enrolled in the university and successfully completed the first semester’s courses. The experience was uplifting and rewarding, demonstrating the dedication and support of the instructors. We pray for the day when this darkness will lift and Gaza will be restored to its former self.