In the heart of the Gaza Strip, a father yearns for the simplest of wishes: to be reunited with his family. For Mahmoud Sukkar, the year has been a tapestry of pain and separation, woven by the threads of ongoing conflict.
“I believe it will be the end of a year full of pain,” says Sukkar, reflecting on the turbulent events that have unfolded in his homeland. Two of his sons were injured at Al-Awda Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, a stark reminder of the fragile reality they inhabit.
As the world celebrated the New Year, Sukkar’s hopes were modest yet profound. “In the new year, I want to return to my home and hope people learn to love each other,” he expresses with a quiet optimism that belies the hardship he has endured. Amid the echoing turmoil, his sole wish remains poignantly simple: to be with his family.
This sentiment resonates across conflict zones. During this festive period, stories like Sukkar’s emerged as CGTN visited regions beset by fighting, including Ukraine and Israel, to shed light on how people spent the New Year amid adversity.
The human cost of conflict is immeasurable, and families like the Sukkars bear the brunt of its impact. Yet, amidst the challenges, there exists a persistent hope—a desire for peace, unity, and a return to normalcy. Sukkar’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unyielding bonds of family.
As the new year unfolds, the world watches with anticipation for signs of reconciliation and healing in areas long afflicted by strife. For Sukkar and countless others, the hope is that this year will bring an end to pain and the beginning of a journey back to their loved ones.
Reference(s):
We Talk: A Gazan father's only wish is to reunite with his family
cgtn.com
