The War of Extermination has wrought immeasurable devastation, tearing apart families and lives in Gaza. Among those caught in its tragic grip is Dalia Al-Majdalawi, a 24-year-old Palestinian woman who, after losing her parents and brother to Israeli airstrikes, found herself thrust into the role of both mother and father to her five younger siblings.

Dalia and her family had already been displaced multiple times due to the ongoing violence. They had sought refuge in a school near the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia when, in February, her parents and one of her brothers decided to return home to check on their property. The Israeli warplanes that bombed their house killed her mother, father, and brother. Dalia was later informed of her brother's death at Kamal Adwan Hospital, a revelation that shattered her.

Now, the sole caretaker of her surviving siblings, Dalia shoulders an immense burden. The youngest, a baby of less than a year old, was born just before the tragedy claimed her mother. Dalia recounts the dire conditions her family endured, including 12 displacements across Gaza. Amid the brutal circumstances, she became responsible for providing her siblings with food, clothing, and education. Every day, she would gather wild mallow leaves to feed them, a task made even harder by the constant threat of Israeli forces.

Despite the overwhelming grief, Dalia vows to continue her mother’s role. "I've gone from being a sister to being both a mother and a father," she says, a reflection of the sacrifice and resilience she now embodies. The responsibility is suffocating, and she struggles with the care of her baby brother, a task for which she feels unprepared. “It’s incredibly tough,” she admits, her voice laden with exhaustion.

Amidst the displacements, Dalia also speaks of the emotional toll on her younger sister, who constantly asks about their parents. "I’m like your mother now," Dalia reassures her, offering solace even as her own heart breaks. She also mentions her brother Mohannad, who has a disability in one eye and works with a modest income to contribute to the family’s survival.

In the face of unimaginable hardship, Dalia's determination to protect and care for her siblings remains unwavering. Despite the dire conditions of war and displacement, she stands as both the pillar and the protector of her family, embodying strength and resilience in a world torn apart by violence and loss.