Dr Tasneem Abu Khater is a dentist and the sister of a close friend of mine, Raghad.
She is now in Turkey, getting treatment for her injuries.
This is her story as relayed to me:
On 7 October 2023, I was at my parents’ house with my baby daughters, Hala, six months old and Mira, 2.
I woke up to the sound of rockets, feeling fearful but wanting to protect my girls. The family decided that we should evacuate to the south. My father told me to go to my husband’s family in Nuseirat. I told him I wouldn’t leave him behind and insisted he come with us
After much discussion, he agreed. My husband came as well.
But the journey was tough. The sight of people fleeing their homes brought tears and reminded me of our 1948 Nakba and our exile.