Palestinians living in Australia mourn the death of loved ones in Gaza while dealing with survivor's guilt, while some warn of a looming mental health crisis.
Samah Sabawi and her husband Monir have been glued to their phones for several weeks, anxiously waiting for news about whether their family in Gaza — which includes siblings, aunties, and uncles — are still alive.
"The community is grieving, the community is mourning, the communities are in fear for their people over there," Samah said.When Israel cut all telecommunications and internet from Gaza, Australian Palestinians were propelled into a state of limbo, anxiously waiting to find out if loved ones had survived with no means of getting in touch."The fact that somebody is just breathing has become the ceiling of our ambition.
"We just want rights like everyone else. We just want civil liberties like everyone else. We just don't want to be subjected to Israeli violence." "We have invested more than $6 billion into the mental health system since the report was handed into the royal commission in Victoria's mental health system."are not properly equipped to deal with this level of grief and trauma.Medical scientist Ola Aladassi returned from visiting family in Gaza one month ago. Her mum, dad, and their families still live there.
"I want the government to open their eyes and try to see what's going on, and to help us and put pressure on Israel to stop this war and destroying Gaza."crossed from Gaza into Egypt. DFAT said foreign affairs officials were working to get the remaining individuals to the crossing."Australia has consistently called for safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access, and safe passage for civilians from Gaza," she said.
Samah said many in the community feel forgotten by the Australian government, adding the community feel like "they don't matter".
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