Over 90 percent of Gaza’s population lives as refugees due to the war between Israel and Hamas. Many have been evacuated several times. Most have no home to return to as the war enters a new phase.
In this mess, many have been forced to leave their pets behind. The number of homeless dogs, cats, donkeys and camels has grown explosively.
But some have refused to part with their four-legged family members.
– It wasn’t even something to think about. My cats also feel bad about the situation and I have to take care of them, says Suhad Abu Daqqa.
Has been evacuated five times
Since international journalists are not allowed into Gaza, TV4 has commissioned freelancer Samy Zyara, who lives in Gaza, to let families tell how they are doing to create a form of security in the middle of the war.
He meets Suhad Abu Daqqa and her family in a refugee camp in southern Gaza. It is the fifth time they have been evacuated.
In the tent, the two white cats Lucy and Rosa jump. Their cat cages are side by side and outside the tent is the litter box with cat litter.
– I try to ensure that they have the same routines here as they had at home. I take care of their vaccinations as well as I can and give them medicine so that they don’t spread diseases, says Suhad Abu Daqqa.
“Getting to share my food with them”
The cats are used to a well-ordered indoor cat life with food and water served. In the beginning, the family didn’t have a tent in the refugee camp and then the cats had to stay in their cages, but now they are attached to a leash so that they don’t get confused but can still jump and play.
Suhad Abu Daqqa knows that many people have difficulty finding food for themselves and their children. But she doesn’t think it’s strange that she also prioritizes her cats.
– They are my responsibility and it is difficult to find cat food, but I get to share my food with them. There is no other way, she says.
Everyone longs to go home
The cats are also about trying to find small moments of joy in the desperate situation. For the children, they are a source of play, cuddling and security.
– They are like my sisters. I play with the cats and they play with me. We feed them and play again, says niece Lean.
But everyone longs for home, both people and animals.
– I want to go home, go to school and play with the cats like I used to, says Lean.