Dubai: The Ja'rour family here has had to bear the pain of losing some its relations in the ongoing war on Gaza. The family members came to know about the unfortunate happenings in the Gaza Strip while they were watching television at their residence in Dubai the other day.
Other Gaza-based members of the Ja'rour family had left their neighbourhood in Tel Al Hawa, following heavy bombardments last Friday that resulted in the death of more than 23 civilians.
"The atmosphere at home is always tense, with my parents hardly ever moving away from the TV or the phone. All my father's siblings and their families are in Tel Al Hawa. There is always difficulty in getting in touch with our family in Gaza, which makes things even more stressful," said Randa Ja'rour, 18, while assisting her mother, along with the other siblings, at the Dubai Cares volunteers' centre that is currently packaging school supplies for children in Gaza.
"The Israel-Palestine conflict has separated us as I [now] get to know about my cousins and uncles only through their voices over the phone. I dread looking at the images of civilian bodies as they are shown on TV. My father used to be a frequent traveller to Gaza and I can see the pain building up in him every day for being separated from his brothers and sisters in Gaza," said Randa.
Randa, who had visited Gaza only once at a much younger age, vaguely remembers her native country. "Palestine will live amongst us as long as the traditional narratives, songs and costumes survive the ethnic cleansing in Palestine," said Randa in a passionate voice.
"Mama and Papa look worried all the time, which sometimes makes me scared. The news is on even when we go to sleep. I wake up with the news on. We don't play a lot or go out because Papa wants to watch the TV," said Sarah, the eight-year-old sister of Randa.
Sarah and Randa's 17-year-old brother Sa'adi, a Grade 12 student, has also had his share of agony with the recent events, even as he prepares for the final exams for his first semester.
"He spends most of his frequent breaks from studies, watching the news - which only adds up to his stress - or on the phone, with one my cousins [in Gaza], if and when he succeeds in contacting them," said Randa about Sa'adi. She also said that the recent incidents have sparked many inquires from her younger brother Mohammad, 14, and younger sister Reem, 13.
Their mother, Umm Sa'adi, was born and brought up in the UAE and has been here for the last 40 years, while their father is a Palestinian.
"Their father and I are extremely worried about our family in Gaza. I think by bringing them here to Dubai Cares, we will be able to offer them some support," Umm Sa'adi said.
