Every Monday morning at nine, mothers of Palestinian prisoners meet in front of the International Red Cross building in Gaza, calling for the release of their children who’ve been held captive in Israeli prisons for over 20 years.
The last time I went there, I began talking with them, asking for their names and stories. I discovered that some of these women’s children have already been freed, but they still cross the entire strip every time to be there in solidarity with the other mothers.
For example, Khadijeh (in the first picture) is the mother of Mahmoud, who was released after spending 10 years in prison. In her hand is a photograph of her friend Amal, the woman sitting next to her. Amal’s son, Hussain, has been sentenced life in prison, and he has been there for the last 12 years.
Their crimes: having tried to defend their homes and their land, and never losing their dignity.