Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
16 November 2023 | 11:56 CAT
2-min read

Picture: Al-Jazeera

Gaza City, Palestine – In an interview on Radio Islam International, Dr Zaakirah Chotia, a South African citizen living in Gaza for the past two decades, shared her firsthand experiences of the war unfolding in the region. Dr Chotia provided a vivid account of the challenges faced by the people of Gaza and her personal journey from Northern Gaza to the south for safety.

Dr Chotia expressed her gratitude for the support received from the Chotia family and the wider community, emphasising the power of sincere Du’a during tumultuous times. She highlighted the impact of the conflict on the daily lives of the people, with buildings collapsing around them, making it a harrowing experience.

The interview elucidated the situation of people in the southern region of the Gaza Strip, who have limited access to humanitarian aid, while those in the north are isolated due to increased Israeli ground presence and ongoing bombardment.

Dr Chotia described situation in Northern Gaza based on reports she received from her colleagues 3 days ago: there are many people stuck under the rubble of bomb blasts there; some parts of Northern Gaza, as well as the al-Shifa Hospital compound (which is a central area for transport) are under siege by Israeli occupation forces and are now restricted zones.

An Al-Jazeera report indicates that the al-Shifa hospital, where thousands of patients and internally displaced Palestinians are taking refuge, has been raided by Israeli forces. On Wednesday, the director of hospitals in Gaza said that Israeli tanks were inside the medical compound, the report said. The article also indicates that Israeli soldiers had entered the hospital buildings, including the surgery and emergency departments.

Detailing her recent journey from North to South Gaza, Dr Zaakirah described the challenges faced during the 10-kilometre journey that she undertook on foot with her children in tow. The interview paints a sombre tableau of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians undertaking the north-south journey, their worldly possessions compressed into a bag or two. With heads bowed to avoid meeting the gaze of Israeli soldiers, they traversed a path fraught with the presence of Israeli occupation forces and punctuated by the haunting presence of lifeless bodies strewn along the way.

Dr Chotia expressed the relief provided by a temporary ceasefire, which allowed the safe passage to the south and emphasised the role of faith in Allah as a guiding force.

Dr Chotia’s message resonates with a call for compassion and humanitarian aid, emphasising the resilience and faith that sustain individuals in the face of adversity. The interview serves as a powerful testimony to the strength of all the people in war-ravaged Gaza.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Ml Ibrahim Daya.