First anniversary of the Israel-Hamas War

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Videos of the Israel-Hamas battle can be difficult for many people to see, but for people whose families are in Israel or the conflict zones, the difficulty is even greater.

One year has passed since Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people, the kidnapping of 250 people, and the start of the Israel-Hamas War. About 100 people are reportedly still being kept captive, according to officials. More than 41,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the conflict.

Although Anne Hagie is from Iowa, her family is in Israel. She claims that on October 7, during the attack, her sister saw three individuals being shot. She is acquainted with the locations of the attacks.

“My sister still struggles with severe PTSD,” Hagie remarked. “It was unwarranted, and the reason was unclear.”

Like many others worldwide, Hagie wants the hostages to be brought back to their homes.

“We want them home, we want them safe,” Hagie stated. Even if they were slain, we still want them returned. We desire their burial. We desire for them to be at the proper location.

Originally from the West Bank, Mohsen Husein resides in Cedar Rapids as well; his parents and siblings still reside there. It’s been a challenging year.

“It’s quite difficult, particularly when you worry about their safety every day and you’re always checking the news to make sure they’re okay,” Husein remarked. “There was a horrible massacre yesterday where an Israeli airstrike killed eighteen Palestinians, all of them civilians.”

He is concerned about how people would view the Palestinian people as the battle rages on.

Husein stated, “Palestinian people are wrongly perceived as threats everywhere they are, but particularly in this country.” They disseminate lies and rumors, which are not true, claiming that Palestinians want violence and devastation. In actuality, things are completely different.

Husein claims that being separated from his family is difficult.

Once a year, on average, I go to see my family on the West Bank. “I don’t think it will occur this year,” Husein remarked. “I’m afraid for my safety, so my family is keeping me from visiting, which makes me even more worried about their safety.”

Hagie is in a comparable predicament.

“My family here did not want me to go, so I did not go this year,” said Hagie. “I didn’t want to go over there because my family was displaced.” In the course of nine months, they relocated three times before returning.

Hussein and Hagie agree that the war has raised tensions in the United States. Both are more concerned about anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents than they have ever been.

Hagie remarked, “I don’t trust somebody who wants to be crazy and do something while I’m at synagogue.” “Instead of going frequently, I prefer to use Zoom.”

“There have been numerous threats against mosques across the United States, as well as against women wearing hijabs on the street,” Husein stated. I once urged my wife to cease going to the grocery store because I was concerned for her safety and well-being.

Hussein and Hagie are both looking for an agreement on a cease-fire. They both concur that although the killing is awful, it is also needless.