Nirmeen Hourani, a Palestinian fashion designer in Gaza City, has successfully established Nemo Design Fashion House, the first female-owned fashion house in Gaza. Despite the challenges posed by the 15-year Israeli blockade, Hourani has thrived by creating unique, tailor-made pieces, particularly for women who wear the hijab. Her journey reflects determination and hope in the face of economic hardship, with Hourani aspiring to take her designs beyond Gaza's borders and encouraging other women to become financially independent.

Haya Barzaq, an engineer and architecture graduate from the Islamic University of Gaza, has initiated a project to document the historical architecture of Gaza, including buildings influenced by Bauhaus, Mamluk, and Byzantine styles. Motivated by the destruction of buildings during Israeli offensives, Barzaq aims to preserve Gaza's architectural history through photography and archiving. She has gained access to various historical sites, some of which date back to the fourth century, and has conducted workshops to educate the local community about the city's unique architecture. Her work has received online praise and she continues to explore and document Gaza's hidden architectural gems.

Wafaa and Fadi al-Baba, a couple from the Gaza Strip, experienced a miracle when they had quadruplets after 15 years of trying to conceive. Their joy was short-lived as Wafaa and the four babies were killed in an Israeli air strike on their home in Gaza City a month later, on October 19. The attack also claimed the lives of 10 more members of the al-Baba family and was part of a larger bombing campaign following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7. The story of the al-Baba family's tragedy was shared widely on social media, with many expressing grief over the devastating loss.

Inas, a Palestinian woman from Gaza, recounts her detention by the Israeli army, during which she faced verbal, physical, and psychological abuse, including threats of rape. UN experts have reported human rights violations by the Israeli army against Palestinian women and girls, including unlawful executions. Over 31,819 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, with women constituting a significant portion of the casualties. Gaza is now considered one of the most dangerous places for women, with ActionAid Palestine highlighting the world's neglect of their plight. Inas, who was eventually taken to Damon Prison in Haifa, expressed her mental devastation and wished for death over her suffering.

Women in Gaza face extreme challenges, including displacement, lack of essential goods, and limited access to health services. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reports over 30,000 deaths, with women constituting 9,000 and 75% of the 72,156 wounded. ActionAid describes Gaza as dangerous for women, with high levels of violence. Sanitary pad shortages have led women to use makeshift alternatives. The UN notes 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza during the war, with daily births and complications. Oxfam and Care report increased premature births and abortions. Human rights abuses against Palestinian women by Israeli forces have been reported, including threats and extrajudicial killings. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor states over 24,000 children may have lost parents. Women struggle with the psychological impact on their children and the scarcity of basic needs.

Palestinians in Gaza are being forced to flee into a reduced area of the strip due to Israel's ongoing offensive against Hamas, now in its fourth month. The Israeli military's warnings have resulted in residents concentrating into one-third of Gaza, according to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. The situation has left the enclave's 2.2 million population with an area slightly larger than the Bronx to inhabit.

Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has signaled openness to a U.S. proposal for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza after the conflict, provided that the Authority undergoes fundamental reforms. This position was articulated in an opinion piece on the Arabic-language news site Elaph.

Marah Jamala, a Palestinian student, was warned by the Israeli military to evacuate her neighborhood in Khan Younis due to imminent danger from the conflict between Israeli soldiers and Hamas. Her family relocated to Rafah, seeking safety.

A second group of Israeli hostages, including five women and eight children, along with four Thai men, were released by Hamas and returned to Israel following a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The release was delayed due to a dispute over aid delivery to Gaza, highlighting the cease-fire's fragility.

Dr. Maisara al-Rayyes, a 30-year-old Gaza doctor, was killed in an Israeli air strike after expressing fears of dying under rubble. Rayyes, who worked with Medecins du Monde and studied at Al-Azhar University in Gaza and King's College London, was remembered as an outstanding and caring individual dedicated to improving healthcare. His death, alongside his family, has been mourned by colleagues and the Palestinian medical community. The Chevening Scholarship and King's College London paid tribute to Rayyes, with the latter planning a memorial. The Palestinian ambassador to the UK criticized the Chevening Scholarship's statement for not mentioning the cause of Rayyes' death.

Beirut Abu Shamala, a child named in honor of the Lebanese capital after a devastating explosion, was killed in an Israeli missile strike in Khan Younis, Gaza. Despite warnings to move south, no area in Gaza has been safe, with 3,900 children killed since October 7. The Israeli military's bombing campaign followed an unprecedented attack by Hamas, resulting in over 9,488 Palestinian and 1,300 Israeli deaths. Beirut's story has resonated widely, particularly in Lebanon. Save the Children and civil defense crews report dire conditions, with many children trapped under rubble. Beirut was listed as number 251 among the casualties by the Palestinian health ministry. Unicef has called for a humanitarian ceasefire and unrestricted access to aid.

Palestinians abroad are experiencing fear and anguish due to a communication blackout in Gaza after Israeli forces destroyed phone and internet services, isolating over 2.3 million residents. Continuous Israeli air strikes and a ground invasion have made it difficult to ascertain casualties and damages. Journalists, including those from Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera, struggle to report precise details. Abeer Ayyoub, a freelance journalist, shares her personal distress over being unable to contact her family in Gaza, with concerns for their safety and well-being amidst the bombings.

Abeer Ayyoub, a journalist originally from Gaza City, describes the harrowing experience of using a WhatsApp group to confirm the safety of her family amidst the bombardment of Gaza. Despite living in Istanbul with her husband and daughter, Abeer remains deeply connected to her family in Gaza, including her parents, siblings, and extended relatives. The article recounts the destruction of homes, the struggle to find safety, and the scarcity of resources like water and electricity. Abeer's family, along with many others, faces the constant threat of airstrikes and the challenge of staying connected during power outages. The WhatsApp group serves as a lifeline, allowing family members to signal their survival amid the chaos.

Heba Abu Nada, a celebrated Palestinian novelist and poet, was killed in an Israeli airstrike after fleeing to southern Gaza for safety. Known for her literary contributions and educational work, Abu Nada's death has sparked widespread mourning and tributes. The article underscores the ongoing violence in Gaza and the personal losses endured by its residents.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened due to an Israeli assault, leading to a shutdown of Gaza's sole power plant and a severe shortage of essential services for over 2.3 million Palestinians. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and healthcare providers are struggling without electricity. Hamas' spokesperson condemned the civilian bombings as collective punishment. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported deaths among medical staff and attacks on health facilities. Hamas' cross-border incursion into Israel was a surprise attack during a tense period. Residents face water shortages, and telecommunications are disrupted. Israel's Defence Minister announced a comprehensive blockade plan, and there are reports of a potential ground invasion. Palestinians have been under siege since 2007, resulting in high unemployment and economic decline.

A new wave of independent music is gaining popularity in the Middle East, led by young Arab artists who seek creative freedom and address issues relevant to their experiences. Bands like Darbet Shams use their music to raise awareness about the struggles of Palestinians and Syrians under occupation. Artists like Haya Zaatreh crowdfunded her album to avoid Israeli production companies and express her life as a Palestinian woman. The rise of independent musicians is attributed to new marketing methods, such as YouTube, allowing for a more diverse music scene. However, artists face challenges like funding, profitability, and societal and governmental restrictions, as seen with Jowan Safadi's concert cancellation and Mashrou' Leila's bans. Despite these challenges, the alternative music scene in the Arab world is growing, with artists contributing significantly to the region's cultural development.

The article discusses the initiative 'We Were and We Are Still Here' by a Palestinian man named Tarek, who documents personal Palestinian histories through visual storytelling. Tarek, unable to visit certain areas due to Israeli law, assists Palestinians in the diaspora by locating and photographing their ancestral homes. The project has gained traction on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where Tarek shares stories and connects with Palestinians who have dual nationalities to arrange visits to their ancestral lands. The initiative challenges the narrative that Palestine was uninhabited before 1948 and serves as a form of resistance against the erasure of Palestinian identity and history. The article also touches on the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the 1948 Nakba, recent normalization deals between Israel and several Arab countries, and the US's Middle East peace plan.

Two Palestinian sisters, Wissam and Fatma al-Tawil, have been held against their will and subjected to abuse by their father in Gaza. Despite attempts to escape and seek help from local police and rights groups, they have been forcibly returned to their father's home. Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented the abuse and are urging Hamas authorities to ensure the sisters' safety and freedom. The case has gained public attention, with significant local support, especially from women, but concerns remain for the sisters' well-being.

In response to the severe flooding that hit central Amman's Downtown market on February 27 and 28, causing significant damage to local businesses, thousands of shoppers participated in a spending spree to support the affected store owners. The initiative, #OffToDownTown, was organized through a social media campaign by activists, including Mohammad Gabartawi. Shoppers like Warda Saudi expressed their desire to help the 'poor people' affected. Business owners, such as Tal’at Abbas and Yehya Abu Zuhdi, shared their losses and criticized the local authorities for inadequate infrastructure. The Amman municipality has formed a committee to investigate and offered some relief measures, but these were deemed insufficient by the merchants. The Prime Minister of Jordan, Omar al-Razzaz, visited the market and promised government action. This event follows other recent weather-related incidents in Jordan, including a tragic flash flood near the Dead Sea in November.

Jordan, with its advantageous sunny climate, has embraced renewable energy, ranking third globally for clean energy investment environment. The country, which previously imported over 98% of its energy, aims to produce 20% of its energy from renewables by 2020. Despite the industry's profitability, the Jordanian government's decision to halt applications for projects over 1MW has raised concerns. Energy expert Dr. Ayyoub Abu Dayyeh criticizes the government's short-term strategies and the controversial 15-year gas deal with Israel, which he believes undermines solar power development. A national activism movement has emerged, protesting the Israeli-Jordanian gas deal.

Two years after the 50-day war with Israel, over 13,000 families remain displaced in Gaza, with only 4,500 of 18,000 destroyed or damaged housing units reconstructed. Delays in international aid, with only 30% of pledged funds received, and restrictions on construction material imports are major factors hindering reconstruction. The U.S. is cautious with aid due to concerns about funds reaching Hamas, while Gulf states have delayed payments due to low oil prices. Accusations against World Vision's Gaza director of funneling money to Hamas have led to suspended donations. Despite a UN-brokered agreement, Israel continues to restrict material imports due to new tunnels being detected. The war resulted in nearly 2,200 Palestinian and 71 Israeli deaths, and Gaza faces a severe economic crisis with the world's highest unemployment rate. Turkish President Erdogan has promised aid to improve Gaza's infrastructure, but immediate relief for displaced families like Iftetah Amsha's remains uncertain.

Despite experiencing three wars and high unemployment, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are striving to engage in cultural activities such as movies and concerts. However, Hamas, which controls Gaza, imposes strict Islamist values that often conflict with cultural organizers, leading to censorship and gender segregation at events. The Ministry of Culture, run by Hamas, claims to facilitate rather than morally control these activities. Restrictions are not clearly defined and depend on the discretion of police at events. The Red Carpet Festival for Human Rights Movies faced challenges such as a venue change to prevent gender mixing and censorship of film content. Individuals like Hamada Nasrallah and Saed Srour express frustration over the stifling of personal freedom and artistic expression.

The article discusses the prevalence of secondhand international brand clothing in the Fras Market, located in the Old City of Gaza. Due to the high poverty levels, new branded clothes are unaffordable for the majority of Palestinians in Gaza, making the secondhand market a popular destination for those desiring such items. The goods are primarily sourced from Israel and include a mix of Israeli, American, and European labels. Abu Muhammad Abu Kheir, a retailer at Fras for over 15 years, notes that despite the poverty, he has a steady stream of customers, including those who are well-off and seek specific brands.

The Islamic University of Gaza, sponsored by the Turkish government, is running a project named Irada to provide vocational and professional rehabilitation for people with disabilities in Gaza. The project aims to address the increasing rate of handicapped individuals resulting from wars, offering vocational training and employment opportunities for both genders, aged between 16 and 40.