How I survive: a 7-year-old’s life in Gaza

Seven-year-old Lina and her family are sleeping on the floor of a tent outside al-Aqsa hospital, in central Gaza.

They were forced to flee their home in Jabaliya in the north of the Gaza Strip when the war between Hamas and Israel broke out after Hamas' murder of 1,200 people in southern Israel. Now displaced, Lina and her siblings spend their time searching for food to buy, queueing for water and playing games. The Guardian spent one day on the 9 November with Lina to see how children are surviving in Gaza. She told film-maker Majdi Fathi how she wishes she could sleep comfortably at night, without the sound of rockets and ambulances.

The Guardian on YouTube: 

#Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Jabaliya

[hamzadz]

No matter how tough one is, you can't watch the suffering of Palestinians and how kids are killed, imprisoned and tortured without shedding tears.

[BigFadZ]

when the girl asked her dad what will we do when we go back home and he said go to the park and she glanced into the distance and she had a moment of happiness. It broke my heart. She isn't asking for much other than to be a child and play. This is heartbreaking. ✌️🇵🇸💕

[jennishowsyou]

The courage of this girl to comfort her grandmother and continue the making of the flat bread touched me to tears.

[Mimibldr]

When the grandmother cried, I cried so much thinking that her entire life had been to suffer like this over and over and over since she was born, without the world doing anything to rescue her. She never experienced safety.

[julianmartin]

I'm South American and will never forget the horrors and rampant criminality and brutality of the state of Israel supported by the imperial powers. If any Palestinian reads this, I want you to know that the oppressed people of this planet and millions of people around the world support you, stand with you and want to see a free Palestine. We will never forget or forgive what is been done to Palestinians for so long. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves

[RukayyaSimply]

It's been six months now, I pray that she and her family are alive and safe.

[bowie]

Can’t tell you how many tears I cried when the women said “when we get back home I’ll buy the best vanity mirror” imagine having to hold it together and be so strong for your babies knowing even if they survive they may never go back to their home

[OneCash]

I'm a 33 year old man and she's so much stronger than I'll ever be. I just can't.

[SprucedandGussied]

Guardian, can you please update us on this little girl Lina and her family? Havent been able to get her out of my head since I watched this feature, no child should ever have to go through this. Her little face is wrought with pain and sadness and those under eye dark circles show the stress she is dealing with. Despite this she still finds ways to comfort her grandmother and we see smiles peek out from here in there. Thank you for sharing her story. I pray and hope that she and her family survive the horror they are living.

[SofieDiamonds]

What a sweet little girl, I pray that she lives a long and healthy life

[F_Dot_]

My daughter is also 7 years old but hasn't seen the horrors that this brave little girl has. How can I believe that an unrecognised nation living in an open air prison camp with limited access to basic supplies isn't the victim.

[ClaraPNAraujo]

No Child anywhere in the world should ever go through this 💔

[junferrao]

The children are like pure angels in gaza and pretty ...they do not deserve any harm...may lord protect yhem😢

[naomixx]

The mum crying and her daughter handing her tissue trying to comfort her mother. My heart breaks for the Palestinian people. You’re the best of us. You’re a beacon of hope, a shining bright light and your lives are worth living. Your resistance against oppression without help from the world, really puts us all to shame. You have inspired us all to stand up and make our voices heard. We will not sit idle, we will not wait for criminals in charge to make any difference. We are taking it in our hands and we will continue to stand up for Palestine. Thank you Guardian for publishing this insightful video.

[ChariceLoveridge]

"When we get back home.." Oh i pray for Lina's family safety.

[ahasanhs]

Thank you The Guardian for showing this harsh reality. When she said she sees children with torn apart bodies it felt so hard. Still world leaders can't oppose the oppression of Israel seeing this!!!

[theskeeboo]

I can't believe that little soul is 7. She carries herself like she's twice that. Clearly the result of everything she's been through. 😢

[SpreadIslam]

She is such a patience girl who helps her grandma so much she is so grateful compared to most of us here I hope she is still fine

[jchur]

Thanks to this family for sharing their day with us. Bless and protect the people of Palestine.
❤❤❤

[IRELAND_MY_LOVE]

The child has more wisdom than many adults.