we are not numbers

emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights

Israa Mohammed Jamal

    An English literature graduate and a mother of five living in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, Israa has a passion for expressing herself through language. She writes, “Our life is full of many suffocating problems because of our occupied minds and hearts. I’m trying to replace darkness and pessimistic thoughts with light and optimism by writing. We Are Not Numbers gives me the chance to fly in my ambition’s sky, although I’m Palestinian and live in occupied Palestine.”

    Current as of Feb. 2024

    my work

    One family’s story of loss and hardship stands for the hundreds of thousands of such stories in Gaza.
    “Every place in Gaza held memories for us,” says his widow. “Now those places are gone, and Saeed is gone.” 
    Forced to flee, then wounded by shrapnel, a 12-year-old girl in Gaza wonders why she has to live with such pain.
    On the holiday that celebrates love, Ghada left her family, leaving behind only her blood on the bedroom carpet.
    Death is closer every day. Nowhere is safe. We are grateful to live just this moment.
    The Sanad campaign raised enough funds to help 73 medical students pay their tuition and obtain their degrees.
    We play with friends, eat lunch, make escape plans, recite the Quran.
    Feryal refused to get married many times so that she could be close to her mother and take care of her.
    A crowdfunding campaign is raising money to help medical students pay overdue fees.
    COVID took my mother and then war took so many others
    Not everyone in Gaza knows who he is, but his legacy is large.
    Water day brings joy and stress to Gazans.