Gaza war correspondent's struggles to protect his family

 

BBC correspondent Adnan El-Bursh shares his harrowing experience of reporting on the war in Gaza while struggling to keep his family safe. For three months, he lived in a tent, eating one meal a day, and facing numerous challenges to ensure his family's survival.

Adnan's family, including his wife and five children, were displaced from their home in Jabalia and forced to flee to Khan Younis, where they faced further danger and uncertainty. Adnan recounts the terrifying night they spent sleeping on the street, huddled together for safety.

Despite the difficulties, Adnan continued to report on the war, often under dangerous conditions. He recalls the devastating moment he learned of the death of his friend and colleague, Wael Al-Dahdouh, who lost his family in an Israeli air strike.

Adnan's own family faced numerous close calls, including a bombing that destroyed their local market and a warning from the Israeli military that their rented apartment would be targeted. They were eventually forced to move to Rafah, where they faced overcrowding and limited resources.

Throughout the war, Adnan struggled to balance his work and family responsibilities, often feeling helpless and torn between his duties as a journalist and a father. He recounts the emotional toll of reporting on the conflict, including the trauma of witnessing mass graves and the loss of colleagues and friends.

Adnan and his family eventually left Gaza through the Rafah crossing, facilitated by the Egyptian authorities. He is currently writing from Qatar, where he is struggling to come to terms with the trauma he experienced and the uncertainty of his future. Despite the challenges, Adnan remains committed to telling the stories of those affected by the conflict and advocating for their rights.