June 7, 2025 — A mother leaves her newborn with a note that said,
“My husband is a prisoner. I can’t feed the baby. I have no breast milk and can’t afford formula”.
There was no option left for her except for this, just to ensure the health and wellbeing of her baby. She had to sacrifice her love, her motherhood, because of the situation. Since the aid has been blocked by Israeli forces, people especially pregnant and breastfeeding women are at a high risk of malnutrition. It is hard to just imagine what these women go through. This genocide has destroyed the lives of Palestinian women.
Gaza’s Women: Bearing the Weight of War
Gaza has become a place of constant devastation, destruction and violence for a prolonged period. Even in such conflict zones, women have become a symbol of resilience, showing bravery and strength in front of violent forces. Women usually perform the role of homemakers and caregivers for their family. But in these kinds of conflicts where the breadwinners and providers: men, are often killed, imprisoned or disabled due to severe injuries, women step forward and take additional responsibilities on their shoulders too. They become heads of their households, providers for their family, and protectors of their children, in order to maintain the little stability that remains.
Grief Beyond measure: A Mother’s Tragedy
Dr. Alaa al-Najjar is a Pediatrician in Palestine She was on her duty at the hospital, when her whole world was destroyed. She works at Al-Tahrir Hospital and is also a part of Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza strip. On May 25, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted her home, as a result of which she had to face the tragic death of nine of her children, nine. Imagine the terror that mother had to go through, when she was forced to identify the bodies of her own children, while treating and healing other children. Only one out of her ten children survived. Her youngest child was just six months old, who lost her life being crushed under the rubble. It is not just one, every woman in Gaza is being turned to grieving soul.
Strength and Struggle of Women in Gaza
From the fear of losing loved ones, to the fear of gender-based violence, to the daily struggles for basic needs, women in Gaza are not living; they are barely surviving. They are starving, they are being killed, they are being abused, their husbands are either being abducted or killed, their children are being killed or kidnapped. Young or old, mother or daughter, sister or wife, working woman or a student, women often endure challenges with every passing day. But despite the violence being conducted by Israel, these women always appear to stand strong. The fear has never taken over their faith and strength.
In such crisis, women empowerment in Gaza has emerged not from privilege but from necessity. An act of survival turns into an act of resistance. Many of them are working as activists and journalists, daring enough to show the world the true picture of occupied Palestine. Women of Palestine are fighting not just for their own survival, but also for the identity of their people. Their courage echoes beyond the borders of Palestine, inspiring women around the world to stand up and speak for justice.
Beneath the Rubble: The Untold Struggles
It is not just health of these women which is at risk but even their lives, their honor everything is at risk. Palestinian women suffer from abuse and sexual assault by Israeli forces. According to the International organizations, women who were held hostages got harassed, tortured, abused and even raped by Israel military. This form of violence is frequently used as a weapon to haunt communities and ensure control. Women being considered weak and fragile, are often subjected to such forms of violence. Victims suffer from emotional trauma and stay silent due to the fear of stigma and shame.
Thus far, the psychological trauma these women are going through is unimaginable. Living under a constant threat of bombings, airstrikes, orders of evacuation, lack of food and necessities on a daily basis leave deep emotional wounds. They suffer from stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD, but cannot even get access to mental health care. Amidst chaos, women of Gaza continue to show resilience, holding themselves and their families together when everything seems to fall apart.
Voices Against Oppression: Gaza’s Brave Women Journalists
Many of the journalists in Gaza are females, who are risking their lives documenting the daily events and massacres there. They are the real-life examples of female empowerment, courage and resistance. Despite dangers, they continue to broadcast bravely from the war zones. They show not only physical courage but also a great deal of emotional strength. These women endure brutal bombings, displacement from their places, and irreversible losses, still they continue to fight for freedom and stand for their rights. They become voiceless, showing the damage people of Gaza have suffered and are suffering. Many of them have become powerful voices, inspiring people outside Gaza to stand in the name of humanity and condemn this genocide.
Resilience in Ruins: Gazan Women and the Fight for Justice
Being a woman in Gaza is not easy, it comes with a great deal of suffering, pain, additional responsibilities, emotional trauma, uncertainty of life and safety, and fear of loss of loved ones. Every day is a new challenge, a new hazard, a new trial. In the face of devastation and oppression, the women of Gaza, with their strong faith and courage, stand as symbols of resolute firmness. Despite lack of resources, damaged infrastructure, and constant threats, Gazan women emerge, lead, provide, protect and advocate for their families. They fight, not just for survival, but for integrity, justice and freedom of Gaza. As the world watches this genocide silently, their unshakable strength and determination, while living through it, is truly remarkable.