Dear best friends:

Mahmoud Today, Tuesday, January 6, 2009, is the fourth day of the ground assault and the eleventh day of the Israeli military operation on Gaza.

I am still in the apartment I am renting. The house of my wife’s dad is getting dangerous, a house nearby got bombed. Also, I cannot go to my dad’s house in Telazater in the north of Gaza. The house there is empty: fragments of a bomb hit the house, and some windows and parts of the walls were destroyed. Everyone in the family now is in my grandpa’s house, believing they are safe. I have not seen or talked to any one of them in three days.

Gazans nowadays move from a house into another, thinking the other is safer, and in reality none is safer than the other. The point in moving from a house to another is to be with other people, to diminish the horror others feel, and to encourage others by saying “It’s ending soon, be patient and strong.” I do and say this to family and friends. I have nothing to say and do but that, hoping everything will be well very soon.

What makes people more frightened is hearing about civilians and children killed in their homes, mosques, schools, and on the streets. They think they might be killed, as well, in the same way. And that makes no safe shelters. For instance, 40 people including children were bombed in a school today after leaving their houses that were in danger. Also, 20 members of one family were killed yesterday. And 14 members of another family were murdered today while they were in their house. So far, we have around 600 deaths and over 3000 injuries.

I don’t go out much, it’s scary outside. I just go to get what is needed as far as food and other things. I went out today with a list of items to get, and unfortunately I came back empty-handed. I found none of the items listed. Lots of items have been sold out. Yet, I have food and I guess it will be enough for this week.

What makes my days ok is that I have electricity two hours every day. The tower I reside in has a generator that is switched on daily. It used to be on for more hours when fuel was available.

I appreciate your concern and prayers. In fact, you make me feel safe and well when I hear from you and you write to me. You have already encouraged me a lot. Thanks so much, dear friends. I am sure things will be alright soon.

I will do my utmost to keep you updated.

Warm greeting from bleeding Gaza.

- Mahmoud