Truthlytics - Beyond The Headlines
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Truthlytics - Beyond The Headlines

The Unyielding Spirit of Hope

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Over the course of covering the genocide in Gaza, I have become personally connected to numerous families who are forever in my thoughts. Lena Mohammed, a mother of twins, was separated from her husband when he left to receive medical care. He was recovering when the borders closed, trapping him outside. Another contact, a journalist risking his life to report on the atrocities, has since lost contact with me. There is also a gentleman who entered Gaza prior to the war to see his family and bring aid, only to find himself trapped, unable to escape the area he was supposed to be in temporarily.

Muntsir’s Story

Muntsir, who escaped Gaza and moved to Malaysia found himself trapped in Gaza. When the genocide began, Muntsir’s NGO, Team Biska Malaysia, asked him to become a translator as newspapers and artists wanted to offer their help. Muntsir agreed, and as he told Truthlytics, “my life flipped upside down.”

His family, who were in Gaza when he entered in April, have been unable to leave. Muntsir explained, “The suffering has been great. They push them into the middle of the area, millions of people living in one area. It can drive one almost to madness.”

The living conditions in Gaza have reached catastrophic levels, with millions of people trapped in an environment characterized by severe malnutrition, lack of clean water, and inadequate shelter. According to Amnesty International, Israel’s ongoing military operations have resulted in the destruction of over 70% of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, which are either non-functional or overwhelmed. The International Criminal Court has mandated Israel to ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance, but the situation continues to deteriorate, with famine setting in and diseases spreading rapidly. The United Nations has described Gaza as a “graveyard,” with families unable to find safe shelter from the elements and basic needs unmet.

Photo via Openverse

Humanitarian Efforts

Muntsir and Team Biska have been tirelessly providing assistance to hospitals by raising much-needed funds, given the dire healthcare situation in Gaza. They have also established food kitchens to supply starving families and children with essential meals. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have created significant obstacles, making it increasingly difficult for them to deliver this crucial support.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been accused of deliberately targeting hospitals in Gaza, claiming that these facilities are being used by Hamas as strongholds. Despite these assertions, no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate the presence of Hamas operatives within these hospitals. On December 27, 2024, the IDF raided and burned Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The raid resulted in the forced evacuation of patients and medical staff. Disturbing reports have emerged that patients were subjected to degrading treatment, including being forced to strip and subjected to violence. Tragically, several patients were burned alive during the attack.

Despite the horrors, Muntsir does not begrudge those who do not support the cause or wish them ill feelings. Instead, he only asks that they open their hearts. “If they ever came here, they would be shocked, they would ask, how have you survived here?”

The loss of life in Gaza has been staggering and deeply tragic. According to Amnesty International, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,300 children, since October 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The United Nations has also reported that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with widespread displacement, malnutrition, and a collapse of essential services such as healthcare, water, and sanitation. The cumulative impact of these conditions has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with the UN warning of potential genocide, with atrocities that many had believed to be left in the past and within the pages of history.

Photo courtesy of Abu_Yasser2016

Financial Restrictions and Challenges

Getting money has been a constant challenge. They survive mostly on what they make on TikTok (@abu_yasser2016). Israel has stopped allowing money of any kind into Gaza. They buy essentials locally, but everything is exorbitantly priced. “They purposely make our lives difficult,” Muntsir explained. They have been without electricity for over a year, and clean water remains a scarce resource. “They cannot give you peace of mind for even one week.” Muntsir has lost more than 30 kg since he arrived in April.

Israel has been actively restricting the flow of money into Gaza, significantly impacting the ability of families to receive much-needed financial support. This includes targeting crowdfunding campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe, which many Palestinians have turned to for survival. Israeli authorities have claimed that these campaigns are funding terrorism, leading to the freezing and blocking of funds intended for humanitarian aid. For instance, GoFundMe has been accused of complicity in Israel’s actions by implementing invasive compliance measures that delay or prevent the release of funds to Palestinian families. This has left many families in Gaza without the financial resources they desperately need, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Muntsir’s Ongoing Efforts

Muntsir has continued to work in horrific conditions, feeding almost 3,000 families. He works non-stop to keep the central kitchen running and posts videos on Tiktok to ensure they are getting the support they need. Over the few months that I have spoken with him, his voice has become strained and exhausted. He is constantly looking for hope in a world that continues to fail them. “We are tired, seeing the reactions, I do not want to send videos of the kids crying when the food is finished…. It is a very tough time. We try our best to cook every day, and I hope I have the energy and that the people will continue to support me. We wake up every morning, me and my team, we buy the raw materials, we cook from 6-12, and at noon we start to give them food. Hungry people are beyond control. There is no way to queue. People have died because of crowding, and a small kid broke his hand in the crowd.” The children call him Uncle, a term of endearment that underscores their dependence on his help.

Amnesty International has reported that Israel has been preventing adequate humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza. Despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling ordering Israel to take immediate measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza from the risk of genocide, Israel has failed to comply. The ICJ ordered Israel to ensure sufficient humanitarian assistance and enable basic services, but Israeli authorities have continued to restrict the entry of life-saving goods. Before the ICJ order, about 500 trucks entered Gaza daily, but this number has since decreased significantly. Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s actions, stating that they have created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Photo courtesy of Abu_Yasser2016

In a world where people often turn to their screens in search of heroes, it is men like Muntsir and his team who exemplify true courage and resilience. Confronting the most harrowing situations—experiencing horrors that defy comprehension—remaining steadfast in their commitment to hope, love, and bravery.

Every day, Muntsir dedicates himself to feeding those whom the world seems to have forgotten. He tirelessly works to provide sustenance and support to families and children struggling to survive in the harshest conditions. Despite the relentless adversity and unimaginable suffering he witnesses daily, he chooses to stand tall, unwavering in his mission. His unyielding spirit and selflessness shine through even in the darkest times, illuminating a path of compassion and humanity. Muntsir vows to continue his work “until his dying breath.” His actions inspire us all to look beyond ourselves and strive to make a positive impact in the world, no matter the challenges we face.

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