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‘I'm afraid I’ll become a number’: Life in Gaza one year on from October 7

Gaza’s survivors record their memories, culture, hopes and fears in new book Daybreak in Gaza

‘I'm afraid I’ll become a number’: Life in Gaza one year on from October 7
Palestinians return to their homes amid the rubble after the Israeli Army’s withdrawal, Khan Yunis, May 2024. | © Ali Jadallah/ Anadolu
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Hello. Ahmed from Gaza here. I’m worried that my name might become breaking news.

Like when they say: ‘So-and-so number of bodies have been recovered during a violent bombardment of different areas.’ Then I’ll become a plain number, added to the counter which has not stopped counting to this moment. I wouldn’t like it for my name and my family’s name to become numbers, odd or even.

I have many dreams – to travel to a wider world, outside Gaza, so I can truly believe the scenes, images and experiences that I see online.