Little white shoe

Damascus,SANA

My name was Haya. I am not in difference with the rest of the children in the world except that I am from Gaza.

That little white shoe was my only treasure. I wear it everywhere, because I am from Gaza. We never had many shoes, toys, food, or even air. The enemy of our ancestors stole everything around us. Our fathers forgave them for occupying most of our country and did not allow us for staying there.

I was wearing that white shoe yesterday morning, October 17, 2023. I was with my mother in al-Mamdani Hospital, which no longer exists today, awaiting news about the health condition of my little brother who was injured in the Israeli bombing of our house the day before.

On my way to the hospital, I just wanted to see my little brother coming home with us, and I looked at my white shoes, and I thought to myself, “If my mother would buy my brother white shoes of his own when we returned.”

Israeli occupation planes bombed the hospital above everyone’s heads.

My white shoes no longer make a difference. Perhaps they make a difference to you who live in distant parts of this big world… and perhaps you have a lot of shoes and do not want more. As for me, my brother, and my mother, the Israelis gave us all white shrouds.

Bushra Dabin / Mazen Eyon