A Blind Eye: The words of a child who only sees fear

Point Of View
A Palestinian Child :

I am a kid just like any other kid, I enjoy playing football with my friends, watching my favorite tv show and especially eating my mothers homemade grape leaves. Little did I know all of that could change in a blink of an eye. On October 13th 2023, my world changed forever with a full scale invasion into Gaza. I was terrified. I never thought I would find myself in a war, I have only read about war in books and saw them in movies. Missiles started soaring across the sky as if they were shooting stars. The only difference is these stars took lives, took the life of my mother and father, and continue to take countless more day after day, night after night. Lifeless bodies buried under rubble yet nobody seems to see them. The cries of children and their mothers are so loud and powerful yet too silent for the world to hear. Governments say human life is the most valuable thing, but are we not human? Are the cries of my people not enough for them to get help? Surely the reason is not because we are darker skinned or follow a different religion. Is my life not as important as the people of Ukraine, is my life not as important as the people in Israel? Is it because I do not have blonde hair or blue eyes? Are we not white enough for our lives to be saved?

It has been months, and it is a common sight to see people scrambling to find a piece of bread. I do not know how much longer I will live in this prison and I do not know how much longer my people can take this. What I do know is that the world does not care about people like me. I know that my people are not the only people in the world who have been neglected by governments. We have been neglected by international law, humanitarian law, and basic human rights. My people are dying every minute of the day, yet it is not considered a war crime, it is not considered genocide, it's just a war to them. The world has failed the people of Gaza, they have turned a blind eye. They consider me dangerous, but I do not even have water to survive the hot days.

When will the world see us? How much do we have to suffer for our voices to be heard, for our lives to matter. My hope after I leave this cruel world is for peace and equality. I hope for real equality and not just greedy governments saying that's what they believe in. I hope for the right to live. I hope that one day the world will recognize our humanity and stand up against the injustices we face. I hope for a future where all people, regardless of their nationality or religion, can live in peace and dignity.

I hope for a world that will not turn a blind eye.

w.a