The article reflects on a childhood filled with a passionate love for books, nurtured by parents and enriched by visits to Gaza's iconic libraries and bookshops. A home library provided comfort during tumultuous times, serving as a refuge amidst conflict. However, as the blockade on Gaza intensified in October 2023, the situation turned dire, forcing families to burn their books for warmth and food. The heartbreaking irony of prioritizing survival over knowledge underscores the devastating impact of war on culture and education.
Gathered around fire pits, we would discuss the works of Ghassan Kanafani and recite the poems of Mahmoud Darwish we had memorised from books in our library.
When the genocide started in October 2023, the blockade on Gaza was tightened to an unbearable level. Water, fuel, medicines, and nutritious food were cut off.
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