As a Palestinian safely residing in the US Virgin Islands, I feel a profound sense of helplessness and agony as I witness the relentless devastation in Gaza. While I enjoy the privileges of a comfortable bed, a home filled with healthy loved ones, and a simple glass of water—luxuries now unattainable in Gaza—my people endure unimaginable suffering.
Airstrikes have obliterated entire neighborhoods, reducing Gaza to rubble. Bombs are dropped indiscriminately, with no warnings, showing no mercy for the innocent. Homes, schools, and hospitals lie in ruins; not a single university or hospital remains fully operational, all having been demolished or damaged. Children, women, and men have perished from starvation, been burned alive, and suffered other unspeakable inhumane acts, with thousands still missing beneath the debris. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank live in constant terror, burdened with the heavy knowledge that any moment could bring more loss and destruction.
This is not a war; this is a genocide. The recent violence is just the latest in a long history of pain and suffering for the Palestinians. Since 1948, they have faced oppression and have been forced from their homes. The Nakba, or “catastrophe,” made many of their ancestors’ refugees, who still dream of going back to their homeland. Each conflict makes the situation worse, and generations have grown up knowing only war, displacement, and daily struggles under years of occupation.
The trauma of living in constant danger is overwhelming. Palestinians are haunted by memories of past violence and fear what tomorrow might bring. While the world sees their suffering on screens, they live it and experience it daily. While many of us feel helpless, we ask you not to look away. Use your voice to speak out for justice and peace. Stand with Palestine and be the voice for those who can’t speak. Your support can bring hope to those living in Palestine and show them that they are not alone in this fight for freedom and dignity.
Imagine waking up every day to the sound of bombs and agonizing screams, with nowhere safe to go. Picture children who should be playing, laughing, and learning but instead living in constant fear, bodies shaking, and tears running through their eyes as their eyes reflect on the horrors they’ve seen- the trauma they experience- daily. Families are torn apart, parents mourning their lost children, children mourning their parents, and communities are shattered beyond repair. The streets are filled with debris and despair, and the air is thick with the cries of those who have lost everything. This is the reality for Palestinians. They are not images on a screen; they are real people with dreams, hopes, and an unyielding desire for peace.
As a Palestinian and as a human, I feel a mix of guilt and relief for my safety. I wake up every day knowing I will have plenty of food to eat, clean water to drink, ability to hold and hug my loved ones without fear, along with many other blessings. However, the fear for those in Gaza are constant. Please, let their suffering move you to action. Speak up for them, stand with them, and help them in their fight for a future where they can live without fear. Where they can wake up with sounds of birds chirping and not bombs. Where they can live to wake up and smell the fresh air and not to that of blood or dead bodies. Where they can live to grow up and live like a human being.
Do not let their cries go unheard or their pain ignored. Your voice can be a powerful force for change, bringing attention and aid to those who need it most. Together, we can help build a future where the children of Gaza know peace, not war.
Editor’s Note: Nour Z. Suid, PsyD, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who was born and raised in the Virgin Islands. She graduated with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Naturopathic Medicine. Suid is currently working as a mental health counselor at Serenity Wellness & Counseling.
