Hiba Kamal Abu Nada: Palestinian poet killed in Gaza

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Hiba Kamal Abu Nada, a celebrated Palestinian poet and writer, has tragically lost her life due to an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

The last words and reflections of Hiba Kamal Abu Nada

The Culture Palestine Ministry took to Facebook to express their profound grief over her untimely death. Recognised widely for her immense contributions to literature, Abu Nada has left an indelible mark with her evocative novels, poetry, and stories.

Born in Saudi Arabia in 1991, Hiba’s roots trace back to a refugee family from Beit Jirja, displaced in 1948. Despite her expertise in biochemistry and educational rehabilitation, she passionately engaged in the education realm, making noteworthy contributions.

Her exceptional literary prowess garnered her several accolades, including top honors in short story writing in Palestine. Moreover, her novel “Oxygen is not for the dead” earned her a distinguished second-place finish in the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity. Notably, she also clinched the first spot in a short story contest in memory of renowned Palestinian author Nahid al-Rayyes.

Just a week ago, she penned a poignant poem:

“We are now in seventh heaven.
A new city rises.
Medics in bloodied uniforms,
Teachers patient with their students,
Families untouched by sorrow.
Reporters snapshotting paradise.
Poets, singing of undying love,
All hail from Gaza.
Building a new Gaza above.
A Gaza, unfettered.”

Abu Nada’s last reflection on 20 October, the fateful day she met her end, was, “To God, we in Gaza are either martyrs or witnesses to liberation, and we all wait to see our place. We stand in anticipation of your divine promise.”

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Anthony Anaxagorou, a British-born Cypriot poet and publisher, shared some profound words Abu Nada wrote just moments before her passing: “We find ourselves in an indescribable state of bliss amidst the chaos. Amidst the ruins, a new city emerges—a testament to our resilience. Cries of pain echo through the air, mingling with the blood-stained garments of doctors. Teachers, despite their grievances, embrace their little pupils, while families display unwavering strength in the face of adversity.”

The recent strife in Gaza is unfortunately the gravest of five wars the area has endured.

Yasser Shahin, a professor who had worked closely with Abu Nada, lamented the loss of an extraordinary student and collaborator. Together, they had been crafting a new film, ‘Ayla’.

A friend of Hiba, named Aya, reminisced about a previous conversation where Abu Nada had voiced her desire to escape Gaza’s confinements. A screenshot of this interaction was shared, depicting Abu Nada’s joy for her friend’s upcoming nuptials and departure from Gaza, accompanied by her yearning to do the same.

A mere day before the tragedy, Abu Nada mourned the successive loss of friends in Israeli airstrikes, articulating, “My friend circle diminishes, turning into little coffins scattered everywhere. As missiles launch, I can’t grasp the fleeting moments with my friends. These aren’t just names; these are reflections of us, each with a unique face and identity.”

The ongoing conflict’s dire human toll

This ongoing 19-day war stands as the deadliest in Gaza’s history. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict has taken the lives of 5,791 individuals, injuring over 13,561. Conversely, Israel reports over 1,400 casualties, majorly resulting from Hamas’s assault on October 7th. Furthermore, during this incursion, 203 individuals were reportedly abducted by Hamas and transported into Gaza, as stated by the Israeli military.