Young People Talk About What they Saw


1) Afaf Abu Nimer

11 years old, the sixth grade, Kh/younis elementary girls’ school.

She said “I can not remember the date, all what I remember that I was home with my family and little brothers, when my father broke into the house asking all of us to leave immediately, as the Israeli army will bomb our neighbor house, I felt very scared, we ran to the first floor, when the first missile hit the area, it was the a warning only, we felt very terrified and were shaking, we couldn’t leave the first floor because there was no time, and the targeted house was so close, then a stronger sound heard, it was the second missile, we couldn’t see each other, we all were screaming even my parents, the sound of the broken glass from the windows was very strong, we all covered with dust and smoke, there was a strange smell, until this moment I can not forget all these scary moments”

2)Reem EL Bashiti, fifth grade, originally from Rafah, Jnena neighborhood, but moved to kh/younis after her house was completely destroyed

It was Saturday afternoon, I was on my way to school, when the bombardment started, I felt that it was over my head, it was so strong and scary, I was so terrified, I could not speak a word all day at the school. When I went home, I felt a severe headache, I could not concentrate, my family were watching the news, I felt so scared when I saw the bodies on the ground. The second day was more terrifying, the Israeli planes bombed the a long the border between Rafah and Egypt to destroy the tunnels, we felt that our house will fall on top of us, we stated to cry and asked my father to evacuate us. On Monday, we left the house and joined our aunt, and the war continued, we learnt that our house was completely destroyed. We could not do anything, when the war ended, my father went to see the house, but there was nothing.

Now we moved to kh/younis, we rent a house and joined the schools here.

3)Shatha abu Oudah, fifth grade, Kh/younis, Hai El Amal,

I was sleeping, it was night and cold, my cousin came and wake me up to leave the house, we all were screaming, our house was hit by a warning missile, my mother was crying, and my little sister too, we were running barefooted, in seconds our house turned to a pile of rubbles. Later when the war was over, I went to see if I can collect anything from the house, I was looking for my doll, my toys, but nothing was there.

4) Maise, 12th grade

For me as a new student in the American International School of Gaza, entering the school for only 4 months doesn't mean that I didn't love the school. I met so many kind friends over there, good teachers.

It's hard for me to describe how I felt when I heard the shocking news about attacking the school; I just couldn't believe it, which was the last place I expected to be destroyed. The school was such an outstanding academic institution. It was filled with the students' smiles. We loved the school system of mixing between the hard work, exams, researches and fun!

It included broad playgrounds, perfect curriculum, computer labs, and highly qualified kinder gardens. We used to make fun days, assemblies, sports days…

I as a senior didn't have the chance to enjoy every single moment of my last year in school there because of what happened. Me along with my classmates, wish to be graduated in the limited time to start our new phase of education by going to the universities in the specific time.

I wish that the school will be rebuilt again to let the chance for the coming generations to be graduated from this lovely school!

5) Suzan Beseiso,16 years old.

I'm a junior in the AISG. My school that was a second home for me it was taken away, completely destroyed, a target for the Israeli air force to bomb, a place to get our education destroyed .It was and still is very shameful and disappointing thing that Israel feels that it must bomb schools to get its peace for Israeli people. The school board was able to rent a building- after a hard task of finding a large enough compound for the AISG students to complete this year's hours . I still can't believe that my great school was bombed. It hurts to be deprived of being a student. We want to learn and become a better generation to prosper and grow . Please help us have hope for a better tomorrow.

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