My Cats during the War

In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty that war brings, one often overlooked aspect is the fate of our beloved pets. For a cat lover like myself, the war not only displaced my family but left my two feline companions, Besa and Black, stranded in the turmoil.

Besa, the mother, and Black, her son, had been cherished members of our family. They were witness to the joyous moments of our lives, including Besa’s unique proposal for marriage with persistent meowing. Their story, however, took a heartbreaking turn when Besa faced complications during childbirth, leading to a costly but life-saving surgery.

War, an unwelcome intruder, disrupted the tranquility of our home. Forced to abandon our residence with my daughter, I couldn’t help but worry about the fate of Besa and Black. These innocent creatures, who were once cared for and nurtured by my husband and me, were now left to fend for themselves in the midst of conflict.

The first 20 days of the war were marked by anxiety and uncertainty. We had no information about the well-being of our feline family members. Finally, on day 20, a courageous relative ventured to our home. The news was bittersweet—Besa survived, albeit weakened by the scarcity of food, but Black was nowhere to be found.

In the absence of certainty, we held on to hope. Bahaa’s family stepped in to care for Besa, considering her a poignant reminder of their absent loved one. The resilience of this small creature mirrored our own determination to endure through the trying times.

After 71 days of war, I took a risk and returned home. What I found was both heartbreaking and uplifting. Black, though dirty, was surprisingly not as hungry as I feared. The Creator had not abandoned his creations. A video message to Bahaa captured the moment, and I left, unable to bring him along on a challenging 3-kilometer journey.

The Israeli war on Gaza may have robbed us of joyous moments, but it could not extinguish the will to survive. As Palestinians, our love for life endures, and the hope that Black will weather this storm is a testament to the indomitable spirit that refuses to be extinguished, even in the face of adversity.