A mother's failed attempt to seek shelter from Israeli bombs

Tasneem Awni and her sisters-in-law were cooking dinner on Friday, 13 October, when Israeli planes dropped leaflets ordering 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza to evacuate south. "Gaza City now is a battlefield," the leaflets read.

In a whirlwind of panic, she and her extended family, who reside together in an asbestos-clad house in Gaza, hastily gathered their essential possessions, modest savings and a few items of clothing.

"As we departed, my children and I shed tears. It was at that moment I realised that my home was the most precious thing I possessed, second only to my daughters," she told Middle East Eye.

With more than 12 family members, including her disabled mother-in-law in her 60s, the challenge of fitting into a small car and setting it in motion remains a blur to Tasneem. "My children were terrified as the thunderous bombardments continued," she said.

The journey southward unfolded as a nightmarish odyssey, according to the mother of three.

To read the full story, click on the link below.

Read more: A mother's failed attempt to seek shelter from Israeli bombs