The war in Gaza affects everyone deeply. But for deaf people, life is even more difficult. They can’t hear warnings, sirens, or instructions. One of them is Bassem Al-Habal. He lives with his family in a school that has been turned into a shelter. Every day, he fights to survive – and shows the world through sign language what life in war is really like.
Videos from the War Zone – in Sign Language
Bassem Al-Habal is deaf. Every day, he films his life in the war zone and shares it on Instagram. He uses European Sign Language so that many people can understand him. He wants to show what is really happening in Gaza. His videos now reach more than 25,000 followers.
Bassem says:
“I wanted to send a message to the global deaf community. I film my everyday life, even when bombs are falling.”
He compares his work to journalism – just in sign language, for people with hearing disabilities.
Support from His Sister-in-Law
Bassem can’t communicate with everyone. That’s why his sister-in-law Ghalia Al-Kilani helps him. She learned sign language because her own sister is also deaf. Ghalia translates for Bassem and helps share his message with the world. She films, translates, and also supports him in interviews – for example, with UN News.
Escape, Hunger, Fear – Daily Life
Seven months ago, Bassem had to flee from the northern Gaza Strip. Since then, he and his family have been living in a classroom. There is hardly any food, no clean water, and no medicine. He says:
“I’m very tired and deeply afraid. I’m scared for my wife and my daughter.”
During his daily search for help, Bassem sometimes receives aid like bags of flour from the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). But the aid is scarce, because so many people are affected. Around 1.7 million people have been displaced in Gaza, half of them are children.
Deaf in a War of Bombs
For deaf people, the war is especially dangerous. They cannot hear the bombs, don’t understand warnings, and often don’t know where to flee. Bassem wears a hearing aid, but it only helps a little – he hears just a faint echo.
He reports that some of his deaf friends in the north were killed, because they couldn’t hear the attacks and didn’t know where to go. Some were also shot while trying to escape.
“Why does the world watch and stay silent?” Bassem asks.
Hope Through Social Media
Despite all the hardship, Bassem doesn’t give up. He wants to help others. When he sees sad children on the street, he tries to make them smile.
“What matters is that the children are happy and not afraid.”
He also keeps looking for work, even though that is nearly impossible. His sister-in-law Ghalia helps him share his experiences in sign language. Together, they are reaching many people online.
Conclusion: A Strong Voice for the Deaf in Gaza
Bassem Al-Habal is more than a survivor. He is a voice for deaf people in the war. He shows the world what is happening in Gaza – in sign language. Despite fear, hunger, and danger, he remains brave and committed. His message is clear:
Deaf people deserve to be seen and heard.
Foto: UN-Nachrichten
