Huda Hamada: From an Outstanding Medical Student to the Struggle for Survival Under the Weight of War in Gaza

Huda Ibrahim Fayez Hamada – First-Year Medical Student

 

As Huda Ibrahim Hamada recounts her suffering and painful memories, the harsh reality of life in war-torn Gaza comes to light. Huda, a once distinguished medical student, should have been in her third year of study by now. Yet, the relentless obstacles, especially the war that has ravaged her homeland, have derailed her academic dreams.

Huda grew up in the UAE, a land of opportunity where she excelled in her high school exams. Her outstanding performance earned her a place in medical school, a dream she cherished deeply. Her family’s joy was boundless at her achievement, being the first in her family to reach such heights. Her father, proud and hopeful, arranged for her to study in Jordan. However, because she was from Gaza and did not hold a Jordanian national number, the cost for each academic hour was a staggering $500. Despite this, Huda took on the challenge and embarked on what she believed would be a promising future.

However, family circumstances soon took a toll. Her mother returned to Gaza, and Huda, determined to be by her side, followed, leaving behind her studies and dreams to forge a new path amidst the ruins of their lives.

At the Islamic University in Gaza, Huda tried to gather her strength and pursue her dream. But before she could finish her first year, a merciless war erupted, shattering lives and dreams alike.

Huda describes nine months that felt like an endless night in the Al-Daraj and Al-Tuffah neighborhoods: “Fear, displacement, overcrowding, hunger, cold, and heat—these words barely capture our reality. We slept on the ground, and every time the shelling resumed, which was very close, I prepared for death. The exorbitant prices turned even the simplest needs into distant dreams. I would knead and bake with my mother if flour was available, and we washed clothes by hand whenever we had water. Meanwhile, mosquitoes feasted on our skin.”

Everyone who experienced this war lives in a state of psychological collapse. Amid the destruction, some initiatives emerged as a form of resilience and support for students in Gaza. One of these was “Hand in Hand” initiative, a lifeline for students cut off from their studies and dreams.

Huda recalls: “Suddenly, in the midst of that darkness, a star shone brightly when my friend told me about the initiative. I quickly registered and joined, studying day and night. Passion and dreams returned despite the pain, oppression, and destruction. Despite all the challenges we face as students, such as power outages and internet disruptions, I felt that it restored my hope for a better tomorrow.”

She continues: "The available internet connection comes from a street source, allowing us to download lectures only between 3 and 6 a.m. During this time, I would be stationed there, waiting for the downloads, often foregoing sleep in the process."

With a pang of sorrow, she adds: "The greatest tragedy is that everything was destroyed—my books, belongings, and even my laptop. I had to continue my studies using only my modest mobile phone. Finding basic stationery such as pens, books, and paper required an exhaustive search, often involving hours of walking."

Even with efforts to provide all those necessities, it was never easy. Huda explains her ordeal during exams when she had to climb to the roof to find a good internet connection, or during Zoom lectures, where the sound of bullets pierced her heart with fear. Sometimes, she had to be in the midst of a crowd, wearing headphones and struggling to focus.

Huda says: “When I wake up at dawn to study, I feel very hungry, so I eat a piece of bread and feel happy if a date is available. Despite this, I am happy to be studying now within this initiative. The most challenging part was the projects, as I had to borrow a laptop, which is very difficult, but it pales compared to loss. Thank God I didn’t lose any family members, and I’m still alive. I hope the war stops, but will its scars and effects ever heal?”