Hamed Ashour, a young man from Gaza, once captured hearts around the globe when he shared a story about a loyal dog who became his companion in the midst of hardship in genocide. The tale went viral last year, appearing in Arab and international magazines, reaching more than five million readers and being translated into seven languages.

 

In a recent Facebook post, Ashour wrote, “My name is Hamed Ashour, from Gaza. A year ago, I shared the story of a kind, loyal dog who became my companion. What a lucky dog he turned out to be. Our story made headlines in both Arab and international magazines. More than 5 million people around the world read it. It was translated into seven different languages.”

 

 

“Not long after, I was contacted by an animal rights organization in Dublin, Ireland. They wanted to check on the dog’s health. They asked for photos of the tent we lived in and guarded together. I sent the photos. What followed was overwhelming. So much sympathy, so much concern—for the dog. They genuinely explored ways to evacuate him from Gaza through partner organizations. They wanted him to have a better life. A cleaner place. A wider sky.”

 

“But no one asked about me,” he continued. “I was the one living in that torn tent, a place not even suitable for a dog.”

 

While the dog received international concern and the prospect of rescue, Hamed remained trapped in Gaza, living in the same torn tent, enduring the same daily struggles. His experience reflects the harsh reality for millions of Palestinians who remain under siege, cut off from the most basic necessities.

 

The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire. Food is scarce, clean water is nearly nonexistent, and humanitarian agencies report that more than 70 children have already died from malnutrition. Aid trucks carrying thousands of tons of supplies remain stuck at border crossings, while residents face hunger, disease, and the constant threat of bombardment.

 

The contrast in responses is striking. For the dog, there were international networks mobilizing for its safety. For Hamed, as for countless others in Gaza, there has been silence.

 

According to the the Gaza Health Ministry,  so far at least more than 60 thousand people in Gaza had been killed in the Israeli genocide.