By Nagham Khazaal | Campus Reporter

On March 5th,  I attended an event titled “Voices from Gaza”, organized by the Palestinian Cultural Club at AUB. The speaker was Plestia Alaqad, a young Palestinian journalist from Gaza, a hero, and a survivor of the genocide. This event left a profound impact on me, as I listened to the powerful testimony of a courageous woman who shared her journey of resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. 

Plestia kicked off her talk by shedding light on her life before the genocide. Before October 7th, her life was undoubtedly different, filled with moments of joy and ordinary struggles. Struggles were always expected as a Palestinian, but she never anticipated this genocide. Everything  tremendously changed on that fateful day, as she and her people experienced loss, pain, and uncertainty.

According to her, writing and connecting with others going through similar hardships became her lifeline. Despite trying various coping mechanisms, such as music, she found solace only in writing. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most effective form of healing comes from within, from expressing one’s thoughts and emotions in words. Furthermore, listening to music did not help her at all, because it only reminded her of her lost memories and dreams, childhood friends who passed away, and her trauma. 

When asked how she maintained her positivity and strength throughout her ordeal, her response was profound. She attributed it to her innate positivity, her strong faith, and the conscious choice to react positively to life’s challenges. For her, having a strong faith was not just a trait but a necessity, a key to surviving and thriving amidst adversity.

When asked how she would describe the Palestinian people, her response was heartfelt. She reflects on the resilience and generosity of the Palestinian people who, despite facing dire circumstances themselves, they continued to offer support and kindness to others in need. This act of selflessness, of giving despite having nothing, encapsulates the indomitable spirit of every Palestinian soul. She shared anecdotes from her time in hospitals, where simple acts of kindness, such as providing pillows and blankets, made a world of difference. Amid scarcity and hardship, the Palestinian people exemplified compassion and solidarity, offering what little they had to those in need.

 Moreover, she emphasized the resilience and love for life inherent in the Palestinian people. Despite the hardships, children found joy in simple pleasures, like using wires as jumping ropes to play and have fun. Plestia urged the world to recognize Palestinians as humans, not as victims or statistics. They were born to live, not to die, she emphasized, and it is essential to end the dehumanization and suffering imposed upon them.

She talked about the impact of the ongoing genocide on women which I found harrowing to hear. Basic necessities like painkillers and sanitary pads became luxuries, while access to clean water and sanitation remained a constant struggle. Toilets, if available, were almost always full and inaccessible most of the time. Her personal account of enduring three menstrual cycles during the 46-day period underscored the dire conditions faced by women in conflict zones. 

To sum it up, the event was a poignant reminder of the resilience of the Palestinian spirit and the power of solidarity and faith in times of crisis. It left me inspired and humbled, reaffirming my belief in the strength of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest of times. As I reflect on Plestia’s words, I am reminded of the importance of empathy, faith, bravery, compassion, and the unwavering pursuit of justice in creating a better world for all.