Resilience Amid Ruins: One Woman’s Struggle to Find Normalcy in Gaza

As the war in Gaza displaces thousands, 28-year-old Hanya Aljamal offers a poignant glimpse into her daily life filled with uncertainty and loss. Despite the grim reality, she finds moments of hope and beauty, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit amid destruction.

In the midst of a war-torn Gaza, 28-year-old Hanya Aljamal finds herself grappling with a reality she barely recognizes. "I don't think God intended for people in their late 20s to live with their parents," she reflects, sitting on the balcony of her family's small apartment in Deir al-Balah, sharing close quarters with her mother, father, and five siblings – the only refuge she has found amidst the chaos.

Just two years prior, Hanya was on a promising path; she was an English teacher, living independently, and preparing for graduate studies in the United States. The onset of conflict in October 2023, however, transformed her life into a series of displacements, forcing her from her home to temporary shelters, a reflection of the 90% displacement rate among Gazans as a result of the war.

Each day for Hanya starts with a quiet moment on the balcony, absorbed in the contrasting scenes below. She observes her neighbor—a resilient elderly man tending to his garden, finding purpose amidst destruction. "It looks like the purest form of resistance," Hanya expresses, drawn to the beauty of life reasserting itself against adversity.

However, peace is fleeting. At times, the tranquility is shattered by fearsome explosions. “It was so loud and scary,” Hanya recounts a night of terror, emphasizing the surreal experience of living in a conflict zone. Documenting her thoughts through audio diaries, she shares insights about life in Gaza with the BBC, revealing the stark contrast between her former aspirations and current survival mode.

Transitioning into an aid worker for Action for Humanity, Hanya tirelessly engages with communities affected by the violence. She witnesses children's heart-wrenching cries for their lost homes and loved ones during group therapy sessions. A particularly poignant moment occurs when a girl reveals having lost both parents. “It’s tragic yet so common,” Hanya notes, acknowledging the widespread loss affecting her community.

Kites soaring in the skies above the streets, however, symbolize fragile hope. “Every kite represents children’s attempts to hold on to normalcy,” Hanya says, contrasting them with the drones and warfare that frequently disrupt her surroundings. The psychological toll quickly accumulates; the constant sound of military aircraft becomes unbearable, a reminder of the looming threat of violence.

As Eid al-Adha approaches, Hanya's family struggles with the poverty and deprivation intensified by the conflict. The traditions of sacrifice and communal sharing are rendered impossible under dire circumstances. Beyond the scope of her personal loss, Hanya grapples with a pervasive grief — “Grieving is a luxury many of us can’t afford,” she asserts, reflecting on the lives lost, including those of her friends and former colleagues.

With each new day, Hanya tries to find beauty in a world that feels increasingly grey. "The sky gives you colors and respite of beauty that Earth lacks," she says, as daylight breaks and offers a momentary escape from the grim realities of her surroundings.

Through her narrative, Hanya Aljamal encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit under dire circumstances, weaving a tapestry of personal and collective struggle amidst the ruins of Gaza.