Banias took the phone because she wanted to narrate her own life and share her experiences, showing a natural confidence and a desire to be heard.
Children in Gaza are not allowed to leave the war zone because they are displaced inside Gaza, stuck in the violence and with their families in crowded rooms or tents.
Banias prefers to talk about her daily activities because she is more interested in her immediate experiences and games, and she uses these topics to create a sense of normalcy and control in her life.
Banias and her family decided not to move into a tent because the dangers of moving could be worse than staying in their current location, where they had some semblance of safety and shelter.
Banias celebrates when she hears about attacks on Israel because she views Israel as an enemy that has caused harm to her and her community, reflecting the complex and traumatic environment she lives in.
Dr. Iman Farajallah argues against using PTSD to describe the condition of children in Gaza because the trauma is continuous and ongoing, with no post-traumatic phase for recovery, and children are in a constant state of coping.
Banias and her family moved to a new apartment because it was less crowded, offered more privacy, and was a temporary but quieter place, even though it is not their home.
The Netzerim Corridor is significant because it is a militarized zone that cuts across Gaza, separating the north from the south, preventing people from returning to their homes, and raising concerns of ethnic cleansing or genocide.
Banias is an 8-year-old kid living in Gaza. And she has a story to tell — many stories, in fact.
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