By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
WE live under a sky perpetually shrouded in dark clouds. Our city is ravaged by dusty winds and rubble. Powerful explosives have reduced our homes to ruins, trapping our loved ones beneath the debris. We are innocent victims of these catastrophic events.
Why must we pay for crimes we did not commit? Every night, we lie awake, our eyes wide with fear. We are hostages in our own hometowns, paralysed by the uncertainty of what might befall us or our loved ones.
Many of our family members venture out each morning, never to return. When we leave our homes, we risk being killed. When we stay indoors, we are attacked and slaughtered in our own sanctuary.
A 12-year-old Palestinian boy being sheltered by his father, Jamal Muhammad, before they were gunned down by Israeli Forces in Gaza
If our lives hold no value to you, what about our innocent children? They are the leaders of tomorrow, but how can they lead when their future is uncertain? Each new day brings a fresh scar, a constant reminder of the trauma we endure.
This is not the life we chose. We deserve better. What about the expectant mothers, the senior citizens, and those who have been disabled physically, emotionally, and mentally by the horrors you have inflicted upon us?
The lifeless bodies of friends and family members litter our city streets. Only a fortunate few survive to tell the tale, often with severe mental health consequences.
Children have been orphaned, wives widowed, husbands left without wives, and parents forced to bury their own children.
You have brought unimaginable pain upon us all!
Before you wage war from your seat of power, remember that children are always the most vulnerable victims.
Instead of causing them harm and suffering, why not choose diplomacy to resolve your differences? Strive to create a more peaceful world for all, where children can thrive and grow without fear.
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