Palestinian Siham Zamara struggles alone against the daily hardships that weigh her down. Living in her tent in the devastated Gaza Strip, she lacks any source of income to support her family, especially since her disabled husband is unable to work and provide for their basic needs after more than two years of a devastating Israeli war. This is compounded by the fact that the occupation continues to violate the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2015.
In addition to the suffocating living conditions and the scarcity of aid, Siham, her husband, her mother-in-law, and two of her children live in a tattered canvas tent in the Tunnel area, northeast of Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip, near what is known as the “Yellow Line.” This area is extremely dangerous, as it, like other areas adjacent to the line, is subjected daily to indiscriminate gunfire from the Israeli army.
The daily tasks that fall upon Siham, 35, begin the moment she wakes up. Her day starts with preparing her young child for kindergarten, baking bread in the oven, filling water containers, running errands, searching for food aid, and trying to secure medication for her chronic illnesses. She also cares for her husband, who suffers from hemiplegia, and her elderly and ailing mother.
Siham says her husband had a congenital physical disability, but before the last war on Gaza, he worked odd jobs. Since the first day of the offensive in October 2023, he has been completely unable to work. He was also injured in the war while trying to provide food for his family during the famine that struck the northern Gaza Strip, which worsened his condition and left him unable to even seek humanitarian aid.
Besides caring for her husband and monitoring his health, Siham also looks after her ailing mother, having previously cared for her father before his death. She also supports two of her children, the youngest being four years old and the oldest fourteen. All of this places her in constant confrontation with complex challenges, forcing her to provide for everyone’s needs while lacking any stable source of income.
