Palestinians in Ireland have described their fear as they sit and wait by the phone for daily updates from their families in Gaza. Since the Hamas attack on October 7th, the Israeli army has launched a siege on Palestinian grounds.
Palestinian officials said 10,569 people have now been killed in Gaza – 40% of them children.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week that the number of civilians killed on the Gaza strip shows that there is something “clearly wrong” with Israel’s military operations against Palestinian militants.
Since the Hamas attack – which took place on October 7th and saw1,400 people killed and 240 hostages taken – Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
The strip, which is home to 2.3 million people, has been struck from air and ground invasion by Israeli militants.
Miriam Mofeed, 37, was born in Ireland but returned to Palestine’s West Bank when she was three years of age.
She lived with her family in Gaza for over 20 years before returning to Dublin with her husband four years ago.
Mofeed has friends and family living in Gaza right now and she tries to contact them on an hourly basis.
“Whenever we hear anything in the news I call my family. Sometimes I can get in touch with them and sometimes I can’t. I just have to wait,” said Mofeed.
Miriam Mofeed pictured in happier times
Mofeed has already lost 16 family members.
She describes the waiting time as “horrific” as she tries to connect with her two brothers.
Her younger brother, along with many Palestinians, – has evacuated to a resort in the South and is now sleeping in his car as “this place is not prepared for all the people who have evacuated here,.” said Mofeed.
She can only contact him every two days or so, as the resort is often without electricity or network coverage.
Mofeed’s older brother, Dr Ahmed El-Molkhallalati is currently working as a plastic surgeon in a hospital in Gaza.
He was working in St. Thomas Hospital in London but moved in February this year as he is the only surgeon within his speciality in Gaza and wanted to go and help people there.
As a result of the war, he has been working excruciatingly long shifts at Al-Shifa hospital often reaching 16 or more hours on his feet in one night.
“They moved four times in one night,” said Mofeed.
Dr Ahmed El-Molkhallalati pictured in happier times
“The building beside them was bombed so they moved because it’s very likely when one building is bombed that the houses around them will be bombed too.”
After losing their home, Ahmed and his family, including his pregnant wife and three daughters, took shelter in his office at work.
“It’s a sad thing too to think that our family houses are no longer standing. I know this is silly because we are talking about a matter of life or death but it is sad,” she added.
On occasions when Mofeed cannot get in contact with her family in Palestine, the only thing to do is wait until the morning breaks when lists with names of those who have lost their lives are published.
She says the hardest part of her day is the night.
“I spent most of my life in Gaza. I have friends there, and neighbours there so I am always worried when there is anything in the news about attacks or bombings in the area.
“In Palestine you know everybody by their four names – their first name, grandfather’s name, father’s name and your family, so I’m going through these lists in the morning of 300 people recognising all these names of friends and neighbours that have died. I grew up with some of them, went to school with them and I’m seeing them listed here as dead, but it is not another one of my family members.
“I’m happy that my family are still alive, but very sad for my people. They all deserve a good life,” she added.
Mofeed told the city.ie that Dr Ahmed has been harder to contact in recent days and any contact that is made with him has been short and affected by low coverage.
During one of their latest conversations, Mofeed describes the background sounds as “harrowing.”
“He mentioned that the hospital is surrounded either by bombs or Israeli forces; he wasn’t certain but I could clearly hear continuous bombing in the background.”
“After dozens of tries, it seems he finally got a signal on his mobile. I just heard his voice, and then the call dropped. But at least I know he is still alive,” said Mofeed.
Ms Mofeed is trying as much as she can to refrain from watching news on their family TV in efforts to shield her two young children.
“I get them ready for school, I go to work, I go to the park on the weekends with my children to make my life feel a little normal for them.”
Ms Mofeed also said she feels the support from the people of Ireland in not “feeling alone.”
She urges people to attend any protests.
You must be logged in to post a comment.