My brother Ghassan says his heart was won when he first saw Hadeel.
The engagement announcement drew many people from all over Gaza to share in their happiness. I was so happy that I even wrote a poem for the occasion.
But the war paused the construction of Ghassan and Hadeel’s future house. Our home was in a wedding mood, and Ghassan was overflowing with love and life, looking forward to their wedding day, initially set for November.
Suddenly, after a brutal airstrike hit a few houses in the area, Hadeel’s family house was bombed on 7 November. Her father, Ashraf Fares, a judge, was killed. Her mother and brother were injured along with other family members. …..more