“For the past six years, Paul Adams from the BBC has maintained communication with a young graduate in Gaza. Through her text messages, she shares her experiences of fear and small victories during the ongoing conflict, as well as her concerns for the future.
My phone suddenly lights up. It’s a message from Asmaa. “Still alive,” she writes on 19 March 2024, breaking weeks of silence due to bad internet connection and dangerous conditions. And then, silence once again for another two months.
Since 7 October, this has been the pattern. Asmaa, a 28-year-old, emerges briefly amidst the chaos of Gaza’s longest war, always late at night when she finds a signal. Meanwhile, in London, Paul’s phone pings with her messages.
Paul first met Asmaa in 2018, while reporting on protests in Gaza. She was not part of the protests but was found at her family’s home in Jabalia, writing stories about life in a place she both loved and hated. Despite limited job opportunities and frequent violence, Asmaa remained hopeful, even starting her own business, Star Café, in 2022.
However, everything changed on 6 October 2023 when conflict erupted. Asmaa’s messages became sporadic as she described the chaos and fear of the war. The family faced displacement, destruction, and scarcity of basic necessities. Despite it all, Asmaa remained resilient, longing for a return to normalcy and a chance to rebuild.
Through it all, Asmaa’s determination and hope shone through, even in the darkest of times. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.”