Mother’s Day in Gaza marked by loss, hardship, forced displacement.

SHOTLIST: GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE (MAY 10, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF DAILY LIVES OF MOTHERS LIVING IN TENTS SET UP IN SCHOOL YARD IN KHAN YOUNIS 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN MOTHER VIDAD AL-NAJJAR SAYING: “We are displaced from the Khuza'a area to the Khan Younis al-Balad area. This marks the fifth or sixth time we have been relocated from one place to another during this war. We are enduring significant hardship regarding this displacement and the loss of our families and loved ones. We have lost everything; nothing remains for us. During our first three months sheltering in the schools, I lost my son. He was the dearest child to my heart, born after I had six daughters. I poured my heart and soul into raising my children, and he was the most beloved to me. I have no life without him, and losing him is something I cannot accept or live with. I have reached out to various organizations just to find out where he is—whether he has been killed or if he is in an Israeli prison. I just need to put my heart at ease. He is the blood flowing through my heart and the very air I breathe, especially since he was born after six girls. I am completely shattered without him and have no life left. I simply wish to experience the joy of a mother celebrating her son, and for him to celebrate with me, like other mothers around the world. I send my warmest congratulations for their holiday, and I hope that one day we, too, will be able to celebrate our own holidays just like them.” 3. AL-NAJJAR WITH HER CHILDREN (TWO SHOTS) 4. TENT SHELTERS SHAKING IN WIND 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ANOTHER PALESTINIAN MOTHER, HUDA AL-MADANI, SAYING: “This is al-Madani, the mother of the martyr Ibrahim Jumaa al-Madani and the prisoner Ahmed Jumaa al-Madani. We were displaced from Bani Suheila. Here we are, thank Allah; may Allah bring us relief and reassure us about them. Ahmed has been gone for two years and five months. Ibrahim was martyred on August 3rd, and in three months it will be a year since his passing. Thank Allah in any case. Ahmed has not seen his son, who is now two years and eight months old. The boy comes to me and says, "Grandma, I want to go with you to my dad, show me my dad, I want my dad like the other children". Ibrahim left five dependents behind: three boys, two girls, and his wife. Thank Allah in any case; his father is also sick. We want all Turkish mothers and everyone to stand with us and help us. This is because we, the Palestinian people, are destroyed—our fortunes are destroyed, our freedom is destroyed, everything is destroyed. Turkish mothers, please support us and stand with us, with our children, the orphaned children, and the children of prisoners. This is my son, the prisoner Ahmed Jumaa al-Madani, and this is his son whom he hasn't seen for two years and five months. We want any information about him, any news to reassure us, and to see him. Up until now, we know nothing about him.” 6. AL-MADANI IN TENT WITH LITTLE BOY 7. VARIOUS OF KIDS ON BALCONY, ONE GIRL SITTING ON GROUND, WOMAN CLEANING AROUND 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN MOTHER UMMU MAHMOUD BARAKA SAYING: “I am Umm Mahmoud, the wife of a martyr, may Allah have mercy on his soul, and the sole provider for four dependents. I have been the primary provider for two years. My current situation is very difficult, as I bear the responsibilities of both a mother and a father, which is a massive responsibility. Comparing our past life to the present, we are currently enduring extremely harsh conditions, both financially and emotionally. We are witnessing severe circumstances, including famine, while living in an evacuation center. I congratulate every Turkish mother on this day, and I urge Turkish mothers to stand in solidarity with the mothers of Gaza, who carry so much hardship, exhaustion, suffering, and the weight of the occupation within them. I hope they will always extend a helping hand to us.” 9. BARAKA POURING WATER 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN MOTHER RUFAYDA ABU DARAZ SAYING: “I am the mother of the martyr Moatasem Abu Daraz. He was martyred in the Al-Tahlia area. We hope that everyone will stand with us and support us. Our entire people have been wounded. We can only say thank Allah, and we pray that He will compensate us with good. We have children who have been martyred, thank Allah, and we are proud of them. We extend our gratitude to every Arab mother across all Islamic and Arab countries for sharing in our grief over the loss of our children. We hope that Allah will compensate us with good.” 11. WIDE SHOT OF TENT CAMP GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - MAY 10: Palestinian mothers in the Gaza Strip marked Mother’s Day on May 10 under the weight of ongoing conflict, displacement and widespread loss amid the Israeli war. While many countries celebrate the occasion on the second Sunday of May, mothers in the enclave continue to struggle for survival in overcrowded shelters and temporary