Zaina Alqudwa

On the eve of Oct. 6, 2023, I worked on a university assignment with my friend Ghada. We had put so much effort into it, and I vividly recall the joy and accomplishment we felt when we finished. We went to sleep afterward, eager for the next morning at university. At 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2023, I jumped out of bed, filled with excitement, ready to meet up with Ghada. I called her, and as we were talking, we suddenly heard deafening explosions. It became clear – the war had arrived again.