Shadow of Resistance

Chapter Twelve

We wake up the next day and there is nothing on the news other than Israel initiating a war on Gaza. All of the news is filled with videos of bombed buildings, medics extracting people from under the rubble and hospitals filled with injured civilians. The bombings aren't near us but we are able to hear the explosions and see their smoke from our home.

I watch the news with my family and I see some very heart-wrenching scenes. I see rescuers carefully carrying a man missing his arm and blood pouring from his shoulder. I see someone with his head crushed beneath the rubble. The sight of young babies with their small bodies covered with blood, some that are dead and some that are barely not.

All of this is shocking and unforgettable. I feel really sorry for all of them. Everyone I see makes me wonder what if it was me or someone in my family in their place, which could happen at any time.

Every channel is showing reports about the number of buildings destroyed and number of people killed. That is totally different from what was happening in the last couple of weeks. During the past couple of weeks, there were few bombs launched on Gaza and we got used to it, as this happens every now and then.

What is happening today is that more than fifty different targets were bombed in a couple of hours. Although my parents are trying to calm me and Omar and telling us that all of this is exceptional and that it will stop before tomorrow, I can see how worried they are. Especially my mother, with her face etched with worry and her eyes, usually bright, are now clouded with concern.

My heart misses a beat everytime I hear the sound of a rocket. Every single one of them feels like it is going to hit our building and kill some of us if not all.

The news reports a bombing in the village where my aunt lives. My mother quickly picks up her phone to check on her. Omar and I sit beside her, anxiously waiting for any news. When my aunt finally answers, we see the relief wash over our mother's face.

After mum ends the call, she puts the phone away and looks at us. "Don't worry, they are all fine but the bombing was actually close." She says. "Your aunt told me that she is scared to stay in their building anymore, especially with her two little daughters. So they are going to stay with your grandmother for a couple of days."

I grab my phone and text Sarah "Are you okay?" She doesn't reply immediately. With every second passing, I start thinking of a new horrible scenario. I call her and she answers right away.

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask, my voice filled with concern.

"Yes yes, don't worry. And you? Are you and your family alright?" she responds.

"Yes, we're all fine," I say.

"It's all so terrifying, the sounds of rockets, the images and videos of casualties," she says.

"Yeah, it is really scary. But let's hope it's just a temporary situation and things will calm down soon," I reply.

I try to reassure her although I have nothing to say other than what my parents have just told me. I am not convinced with what they said, but I find myself repeating their words to her.

I hear her mother calling her and then she says "I have to go now, but let's keep texting everyday to make sure that everyone is fine. Don't forget"

"Okay deal" I reply and she ends the call.