We really wanted to share with you the diary of Nour, our psychologist who lived in Gaza. We proposed this format to Libération, one of France’s leading daily newspapers, so that she could tell the story of her daily life in the Palestinian enclave, punctuated by war and displacement with her family. A thousand thank yous Nour, your words touch our hearts.
First episode: her memories of the pre-October 7th period.
Aurélie Godet, Head of the news division
I never imagined that one day I would have to tell you about Gaza as a memory. It’s heart-breaking to recall its details while being so distant.
Each memory brings intense feelings of grief and longing. As I sit down to write about Gaza; my home, I struggle to capture its essence while being displaced from it. Visualizing its streets, its people, and its unique soul drowns my heart, making the task of portraying it feel like a bittersweet challenge.
I remember the details of my simple, quiet life; starting my day by getting ready for work and preparing my two kids for school, getting a taxi from across the street while enjoying the smell of fresh pastries from the bakery next door, then enjoying a short walk on a lovely wooded side street that leads to our Médecins du Monde office in AlRemal area in Gaza city [ndlr : Médecins du Monde condamne la destruction de ses bureaux à Gaza City]. I always cherished the moment when I get through the door and start greeting the familiar faces that I worked with every day. And amidst all the pressures and tasks of our work, I get enlightened by a daily cup of coffee made especially by our colleague Dr. Maisara Al-Rayyes [ndlr : Maysara Rayyes, médecin urgentiste et superviseur médical chez Médecins du Monde a été tué, ainsi que plusieurs membres de sa famille, lors du bombardement de son immeuble survenu à Gaza City, le 5 novembre 2023], when we sit together to discuss work issues and debrief about any challenges we have
Médecins du Monde’s mental health team are training health workers in Gaza’s hospitals and primary care centers to enhance their ability to provide psychological services while delivering health care to strengthen the mental health in Gaza. Our goal is to address the increasing psychological needs in Gaza, which have escalated due to years of siege, wars, and recurrent escalations, leading to significant psychological effects on the population, including high rates of trauma, grief, and depression, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and women.
I directed my passion for my profession into helping people overcome any psychological issues they had, and guiding them to build a better life for themselves.
We learned together that having faith and willpower can enable us to face any struggles along the way.
The highlights of my memories are mainly the heart-warming moments that I used to spend with my family and friends. I remember clearly how I felt during our weekly family gatherings at my mother’s home, sharing our life updates while having a cup of tea and singing some old Arabic songs with my siblings. Whenever I felt stressed, I would go shopping with my best friend Lamiaa, we would wander the streets of Gaza, and always end up at a simple café by the beach. Gaza’s sea has always been the comfort place for everyone, as they always say; “If you ever got lost in Gaza, just turn to the sea; for you will always find your home, and it will always guide you”.
Gaza is not just a city; it’s a spirit and a way of life. It’s a home. People here are generous, humble, educated, resilient, hospitable, opening their hearts to everyone, while proudly preserving their customs and traditions. Its population gathered from all over Palestine and formed a united community. In Gaza, everybody knows each other, we’re connected like a big fishing net, which provides us with feelings of familiarity and belonging, like having a big loving family. Gaza may not be the most beautiful city, but it has a warmth that makes your heart long for it. And we always believe and echo in Gaza what our poet Mahmoud Darwish says: “On this earth, there is what deserves life .”
It’s still hard to believe that this simple life that we valued has completely vanished nine months ago and I will never forget the seventh of October, that day is etched in my memory. I remember well how I woke up energetically like every day, I hugged my children and said goodbye to them with a smile at the door to go to their schools. I was playing with my two little cats when I was surprised by the voices rising around us.
My children rushed back to my arms with all fear, I hold them close, trying to calm them. I know these voices very well, these voices are too familiar; the voices of planes, bombing and death, we all in Gaza know it and we know what sadness comes after it. We are the daughters and sons of war, companions to martyrs, every neighborhood and street bears the mark of a martyr, a wounded person, or a prisoner. The sky was on fire, as if the world had decided to collapse above our heads. Desperately, I embraced my children in a corner of the house trying to find safety. In that moment, I am unaware of the losses that lie ahead, and here I am recalling my life with all the pain and sorrow that’s rooted deep inside every Gazan heart