This week’s Story of the Week goes to Alaa Dmeida! Alaa Dmeida writes about growing up in Gaza and how the war transformed something as simple as a birthday. From celebrating with her twin sister and family at home to marking another birthday in a tent after losing their house, Alaa reflects on what she and her generation have lost, and the hope that keeps them going. Read her story on our website: wearenotnumbers.org/the-birt…

Israeli bombardment and gunfire continue across the Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire, with Palestinians still being killed and wounded in attacks. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, six Palestinians were killed and 35 injured in the 24 hours to Thursday, including one person who died from injuries sustained earlier. At least 1,408 Palestinians have been killed and 4,916 injured in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 11 October 2025. A further 834 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble during the same period. Since the beginning of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023, the Palestinian death toll has reached 73,928, while 175,030 people have been injured, according to the latest figures.

Israeli airstrikes are ongoing in Gaza. This is another airstrike that hit an area in central Gaza City earlier today, not far from where WANN’s office is located. At least one Palestinian was killed and many others were injured in the attack. The world calls it a ceasefire. We call it a continuation of genocide, with less attention.

Today, Refaat Alareer should have turned 47. He should have been here, teaching, writing, mentoring our writers, making jokes, challenging us to think harder, and reminding us again and again that our stories matter. Refaat was born in Gaza on September 23, 1979. He was a poet, professor, writer, and one of the co-founders of We Are Not Numbers. To so many of us, he was also a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend. Today, on what would have been his 47th birthday, we remember Refaat, who was killed by Israel on December 6, 2023. We remember him not only for how he died, but for how he lived — teaching and inspiring generations of young Palestinians to write back and tell their stories.

Around 700 nursing students graduated from the Faculty of Nursing at the Islamic University of Gaza, marking the completion of their studies after nearly three years of genocide. The graduation comes after Israeli attacks damaged or destroyed most universities across Gaza, severely disrupting higher education and leaving tens of thousands of students unable to study on campus. The graduates are entering Gaza’s healthcare sector amid widespread destruction and severe shortages of medical staff and resources.

Why WANN? 👀 We asked some of our #Gaza WANNers from the 19th cohort why they joined and they had a few things to say♥️ #WannCohort19

Four Palestinians were killed and several others injured on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, amid continued attacks in multiple areas. Two Palestinians, identified as Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Alwan, from Rafah, and 33-year-old Osama Khaled Mohammed Abu Khater, were killed when an Israeli drone struck a vehicle in northern al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. In central Gaza, Noura Aouni Diab died from injuries sustained after being shot by Israeli forces in Bureij refugee camp. In Gaza City, Adham Sobhi Ziyara succumbed to injuries sustained when an Israeli strike hit a group of Palestinians on al-Nafaq Street. Several others were also injured in an Israeli airstrike near Tamraz Station in the same area. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Beit Lahia Project in northern Gaza. In southern Gaza, a Palestinian was critically injured by Israeli gunfire in the al-Badaw area of western al-Satar, north of Khan Younis. Israeli forces also carried out a demolition operation northeast of Khan Younis, accompanied by heavy tank fire. Israeli artillery also shelled areas east of Khan Younis, while Israeli tanks opened fire east of the city. In central Gaza, Israeli tanks opened heavy fire east of Bureij refugee camp, accompanied by artillery shelling in the area.

Mintos was more than a cat. He was Rama’s companion, her comfort, and part of her daily life in Gaza. When he became seriously ill, she took him to a veterinarian and did everything she could to save him. But medicines, diagnostic tests and veterinary equipment are often difficult—or impossible—to access in Gaza. Mintos died after ten days of illness. Rama buried him by the sea, removing his red collar before saying goodbye. If animals in Gaza cannot even access the care they need to survive, what happens to the people who love them when there is nothing more they can do? Read Rama Hussain Abu Amra’s story, “The Cats We Couldn’t Save.” wearenotnumbers.org/the-cats…

It was a tough night in Gaza, with Palestinians describing it as a night of war as Israeli fighter jets bombed several locations across the Strip, Israeli quadcopters opened fire toward buildings and residents, and artillery and tank fire continued through the night. In Gaza City, three Palestinians were injured early Tuesday when an Israeli airstrike hit a home belonging to the Karim family in the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, according to local sources. Israeli military vehicles also opened heavy fire east of Al-Tuffah and northwest of Gaza City, while Israeli artillery shelled areas east of the city. Israeli warships also opened fire toward Gaza’s coastline. In northern Gaza, Israeli forces carried out a large demolition operation northwest of Beit Lahia, while a Palestinian woman was injured by Israeli gunfire near the Abu Sharakh roundabout in Jabalia. In the south, Israeli tanks fired several shells east of Khan Younis, while Israeli military vehicles opened heavy fire south of the city. Israeli helicopter gunfire was also reported east of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Israeli forces also carried out a large-scale demolition operation south of Khan Younis, while in central Gaza, military vehicles opened fire east of Bureij refugee camp. The overnight attacks came after Israeli fire killed three Palestinians and injured 11 others across Gaza on Monday, according to Palestinian medical sources. The dead included a child and a woman, while those wounded were hit by Israeli gunfire and shelling in several areas, including Khan Younis and Bureij. The attacks are the latest in a continued pattern of Israeli military operations across Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2025. Since then, at least 1,394 Palestinians have been killed and 4,839 injured since the ceasefire began.

How do you grieve a place when you’re not only mourning the memories it holds, but all the memories you’ll never get to make there? Read “The meaning of Friday in Gaza,” the full story by WANN writer Alaa Qudaih, on our website: wearenotnumbers.org/the-mean…

In Gaza, the biggest challenge of motherhood is being unable to provide what your child needs and deserves. Read Saeda Hamdona’s story, in partnership with Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, on our website. wearenotnumbers.org/my-son-d…

Three Palestinians, including a child and a woman, were killed and several others injured on Monday in Israeli shelling and gunfire targeting displaced Palestinians and residential areas across the Gaza Strip. Mohsen Ahmed Mustafa Bahja was killed after being shot by an Israeli quadcopter in northern Gaza. Ismail Al-Bardawil, a child, was killed after being shot in the chest by Israeli forces in the al-Mawasi area of Rafah. Fidaa Khader Totah, 31, also died from wounds sustained after being shot by Israeli forces on Salah al-Din Street east of Nuseirat refugee camp. Several Palestinians were also injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza. Three were wounded by Israeli naval fire near al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, while others were injured by Israeli military fire and artillery shelling in Khan Younis, Rafah, Nuseirat, Bureij and other areas. Israeli artillery also struck areas east and south of Khan Younis and northern Gaza City, while Israeli tanks opened fire toward tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in several locations. The attacks come amid continued Israeli fire and shelling across the Gaza Strip, including against areas where displaced Palestinians are sheltering.