Life Through Her Eyes: 28
Six Wars Old
The year I was born, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza by land, air, and sea
At age two, I survived a 22-day attack on Gaza; Israeli forces killed 1,385 Palestinians including 318 children
At age five, I survived an 8-day attack by as Israeli forces killed 158 Palestinians in Gaza 33 of which are kids my age
At age seven, I survived 50 days of onslaught as Israeli forces killed 2,251 Palestinians in Gaza including 556 children and over 1,500 children were orphaned
At age eleven, for 2 years I saw my community turn out in masse to protest the blockade. Israeli forces killed 214 Palestinians including 46 children and injured 8,800 children with live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas
At age fourteen, I survived an 11-day attack as Israeli forces killed 230 Palestinians 67 of whom were children participating in a trauma recovery program
At age fifteen, I survived a 3-day attack on Gaza, Israeli forces killed 33 Palestinians including 9 children
At age sixteen, I am experiencing ongoing acts of genocide, I witnessed my homeland turn into rubble and doctors are using the acronym WCNSF: wounded child no surviving family
About the Author
Rand is a 26-year-old Palestinian. She is the youngest of four children; she finished her undergraduate studies at Bir Zeit University, Ramallah, Palestine. During her university years, Rand grew more interested in the humanitarian structure and the Palestinian cause from a humanitarian point of view. Through volunteering and networking, Rand received many pieces of training in crisis management, and emergency navigation, as well as, humanitarian structure, signature, and localization allowing her to employ her knowledge in her career and as a volunteer with many local and international humanitarian organizations. Moreover, Rand is a very expressive artistic person who attempts to share her human experience through pen and brush. She is captivated by sunsets and Palestinian beauty.
All photos in the series are by Rand.