On October 13, 2023, the spokesperson for the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) issued an immediate evacuation order for residents of the northern Gaza Strip, directing them south of Gaza Valley. My family and I chose to stay, driven by fear and uncertainty. We questioned: “Who will ensure our return? Will this be a new Nakba? How can the southern Gaza Strip be safe when daily massacres there mirror those in the north?”

Since that order, we’ve heard reports of civilians being killed while traversing the so-called “safe corridor.” If death is a risk in northern Gaza, it’s an even greater threat in this so-called safe zone.

On the night of October 8, 2023, without warning, Israeli bombardments heavily struck our neighbourhood in Tal al-Hawa, near al-Quds Hospital in western Gaza City. The explosions shattered windows and scattered debris. We huddled on the ground floor of our four-story building, each floor covering 400 square metres, fearing a follow-up attack. My brothers quickly carried our wheelchair-bound father to a Neighbour’s house just 4 meters away, hoping for safety in a side street.

As the bombardment intensified and approached the Neighbour’s house, the room we were in collapsed. We fled to the street towards al-Quds Hospital but faced more bombardment. The street was targeted with what they called a “fire belt,” destroying many homes, including ours, and setting others ablaze.

We returned to the Neighbour’s house, stunned that we had survived. Moments later, two missiles hit: one at the door, injuring those inside, and the other on the house, causing more rubble to fall. We gathered in the remaining part of the house, but our attempts to call for help were futile due to the heavy bombardment and debris. The IOF dropped flare bombs to ensure the area was empty. We remained silent, fearing that making any noise would lead them to believe we were dead. After half an hour, when the area finally quieted, we managed to move out towards al-Quds Hospital. It was a close call, and we felt that only divine intervention had saved us.

On October 19, 2023, we rented a house near al-Shifa Hospital and stayed there for a few days. On October 29, we received an evacuation order for that area. With no clear destination, we sought temporary refuge at al-Quds Hospital. Heavy fire belts struck nearby, and the rubble from a bombed tower fell on us. Once again, we were spared by a stroke of luck.

The next morning, October 30, 2023, we relocated to the mental health hospital in the al-Naser neighbourhood. Most people we knew had either evacuated south or were now homeless, like my uncles and their families. We believed hospitals were off-limits for attacks.

However, on the night of November 2, 2023, IOF warplanes conducted another bombardment close to the mental health hospital, instilling terror in us. Miraculously, we survived, but a shell hit the garden where displaced people were gathered.

After these harrowing experiences, our only option seemed to be to move to al-Shifa Hospital, believing it to be a safer central location. We spent several days there until I received alarming news from friends in southern Gaza. IOF had moved to Ansar intersection, close to the hospital, raising concerns that they might advance towards it. It became evident that the IOF had disregarded all international rules during the conflict.

On November 7, 2023, my family decided to seek refuge with a family friend in the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood. We endured severe shortages of potable water, cooking gas, flour, vegetables, and other essentials. Nearby stores had run out of supplies. After the truce ended, the situation in Al-Tuffah deteriorated rapidly as tanks approached the entrance to the al-Shejaiya neighborhood.

By December 4, 2023, we had no choice but to return to the area near al-Shifa Hospital, which was nearly destroyed. This return meant continued suffering from hunger and dehydration.

My mother, suffering from cancer, had needed to go south during the truce for treatment arrangements. Despite her serious condition, her name has yet to appear on the travel lists. We did not all accompany her south due to my father’s condition. He is wheelchair-bound and lost his wheelchair when our house was bombed, and we could not obtain a replacement. He cannot traverse the IOF checkpoint established on Salah al-Din Road.