Doha Al Kahlout shares her harrowing experiences of displacement and loss in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 conflict, highlighting the challenges faced by families, especially women and children, in their daily lives amidst war and the struggle to maintain their identities as writers and individuals.
In a poignant narrative, Doha Al Kahlout, a 27-year-old writer from Gaza, recounts her life experiences, education, and the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on her community. Born and raised in Gaza, she pursued her studies in Arabic language and media at Al-Azhar University, graduating in 2018. By 2020, she was teaching Arabic and writing content for local companies, publishing her first poetry collection in the same year. However, her life took a drastic turn following the events of October 7, 2023.
Doha describes her life in Gaza before the conflict as one filled with hope and aspirations. She had a home, a job she loved, and a supportive family and friends. Her literary contributions included a collection titled "Gaza: The Land of Poetry," which featured works from various writers in the region. This sense of community and creativity was abruptly shattered when the conflict escalated.
On October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forced her family to evacuate their home in northern Gaza, compelling them to move south under the pretext of safety. This relocation, however, turned their lives into a nightmare. Doha now lives with 30 family members in a cramped space, sharing a single room with over 20 women and children. The conditions are dire, with limited access to basic necessities such as food and water.
The family’s struggle for survival is compounded by the oppressive heat during the day and the biting cold at night. They face numerous challenges, including a lack of hygiene products, which has led to skin problems among children. The occupation has restricted access to essential supplies, making daily life a constant battle.
As a writer, Doha emphasizes the importance of a conducive environment for creativity. The chaos and noise of war, including the constant presence of military drones, have made it nearly impossible for her to find the quiet needed to write. Despite these challenges, she and other writers in Gaza strive to express their experiences through poetry and articles, documenting the harsh realities of their lives.
Doha reflects on the emotional toll of displacement, noting that many people in Gaza have been forced to flee multiple times, carrying only the clothes on their backs. The lack of stability and safety has stifled their ability to think clearly and create. She laments the loss of educational opportunities for children and the broader implications of this conflict on their futures.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Doha believes in the power of words to convey their stories to the world. She expresses gratitude to those who support Gaza's writers and emphasizes the importance of sharing their narratives. In her readings, she shares poems that reflect on war, loss, and the longing for peace.
Doha reads several of her poems, including:
Doha Al Kahlout’s account is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Her words not only document the struggles of her community but also serve as a call for awareness and empathy from the world. As she continues to write, she hopes to keep the stories of Gaza alive, ensuring that the voices of those affected by conflict are heard and remembered.
