Greeting to all,
I am writing to you from Gaza? Do you know where Gaza is located?
Gaza lies where Jesus Christ was born. That is why our country is called the Holy Land.
But unfortunately, we have been living for many months in a large camp. And we may no longer leave our camp. Our friends and relatives in other couturiers are also not allowed to visit us. Isn’t that mean?
Lately, I am hungry all the time, and we have no food. All the shops here are empty. No one can buy bread, milk, cheese or candy. I have not seen chocolate for many months.
At night, I must wear many layers of clothes because we have no heat. It is freezing at night. We have no electricity for weeks. Also water that we drink is not clean.
I am still very sad, because my best friend Ali died two months ago. He could not get the proper medicine.
For the last few weeks, I could not go to sleep because of the bombing. I am very scared. I have bad dreams at night. I always dream about bad things; like corpses, blood, and bombs.
I hope Santa has brought you many gifts this Christmas. I hoped in such way that I could also get a toy. But unfortunately what we get here were bombs and missiles.
On New Year’s eve, we got shelled from the sea, air, and the ground. Phosphorus bombs lit the sky. In the same evening our house was hit by two rockets. My Grandfather whom I love very much was severely injured. We could not take him to the hospital. We were out of gasoline for a long time. We also could not call the ambulance or the clinic, because the telephone lines were destroyed. So, my grandfather had to die. And in such a way, also many other people have died.
Since Christmas, we can no longer play outside, since the Israeli soldiers shoot at children. Are children also dangerous to the soldiers?
People say that children are the future of their country. What is to become of the Holy Land without future? All the children in Palestine would like to be like you; laugh, play, and go to school. You are lucky you are born in America! But is it my fault that I was born in Gaza?
Can you do something for me, so this war will come to an end? Please don’t leave me alone.
Write to me please, and tell me what all you get for Christmas.
Many greetings from Gaza and Salam.
Kareem
Gaza, Palestine
[Translated into English by Mahmoud El-Yousseph, Retired USAF Veteran]