In ruins: Some of the heartbreaking scenes in Gaza that Mohamed Quddoura has received from his relatives at times when they were able to contact him.
JOHOR BARU: Despite being miles away from Gaza, Mohamed Quddoura continues to be haunted by the horrors of war as he anxiously awaits news of his loved ones back home.
The Palestinian PhD student from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) said that due to the limited Internet connectivity and electricity supply in Gaza, it was very hard to keep in touch with his family, including his parents.
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“It is very difficult for us to contact each other. It has been days since I last heard from them. When I do not receive any news from them, I have to assume that they are dead as I know that they could be killed at any time.
“In fact, every time I see the news, I expect to see their names on the casualty list. Many have lost their lives over the past few weeks and I can’t help but think that my family may be next.
“The most I can do is to pray for them,” the 33 year old told The Star. Mohamed said that he has 75 relatives including 11 immediate family members in Gaza who are now facing food, water and medicine shortages as well as constant security threats.
“Due to the constant bombings, many people have lost their homes, including my relatives. My own family home is still intact and we are now providing refuge to our relatives whose homes have been destroyed by bombs.
“There are currently more than 70 people living in the house and they are sharing what little they have to survive. They are surviving on a maximum of one meal a day as there is not enough water or food,” he said.
Mohamed, who has been living in Malaysia for about four years, said he lost his 21-year-old cousin to the ongoing conflict.
“At the moment, Palestinians from all over the world cannot have any peaceful sleep as we follow what’s happening back home and wait for news of our loved ones.
“Our minds are extremely ‘busy’ as we think about what they are going through. I lived in Gaza for most of my life and I know what war looks like,” he said, adding that he witnessed wars in Gaza in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021.
UTM’s bridging programme student Abdallah Abuanza, 18, said his relatives are currently seeking refuge in a school in Gaza after their homes were destroyed.
“I am still in contact with them, but it is extremely difficult for us to talk due to the connectivity and electricity issue.
“The last time I spoke to them was about three days ago when they said that they were still staying at the school. They were facing a dire lack of food and water.
“Some were also in need of medical care but unable to get it as the hospitals were already extremely crowded,” he said.
Another Palestinian student, who only wanted to be known as Essed, from the West Bank, said that there has also been an increase in surveillance from the Israeli military in his hometown.
“There are growing concerns among Palestinians in the West Bank following the attacks in Gaza. It is not easy for one to move from one place to another with the heavy military presence.
“Many are staying indoors and avoid leaving their homes for the time being. They cannot even carry out demonstrations in solidarity with what is going on in Gaza as this could put their lives in danger,” he said.
