A Somber Reality in Times of War: Not All Suffering is Equal
As the blood of Gazans flows freely and thousands of civilians struggle to survive in the hell of Gaza, the remarkable journey of a woman to escape the occupied territory sheds harsh light on the distorted lenses of diplomacy and political priorities.
Ahlam Ferwana, a 59-year-old Palestinian, managed to clandestinely leave the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, thanks to direct intervention and diplomatic efforts by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
The origin of this operation dates back to her son, Younes Ferwana, who has been serving in the US Navy since 2023 after enlisting as part of his quest for American citizenship.
During the Zionist military aggression, the family lost their seven-story home, destroyed by a bombing. Forced to constantly move amidst massive destruction and acute food shortages, they were even reduced to eating bird seeds to survive on certain occasions.
From the US Navy, Younes began to pressure military and civilian officials to save his mother from Gaza. His appeals eventually led to the involvement of high-ranking officials in the Trump administration, including Kash Patel, former deputy advisor to the national security advisor.
The operation required a $10,000 donation to cover transportation and coordination costs. Advanced surveillance techniques were also used to track Ahlam's movements and ensure her safety. To facilitate the evacuation, coordination with the Israeli army allowed for a temporary ceasefire in the transit area. Ahlam walked 14.5 kilometers through the rubble to reach the Kerem Shalom border crossing. From there, she was transferred to Jordan, where she currently resides while awaiting a visa to join her son in the United States.
For his part, Younes Ferwana expressed his deep gratitude to the officials who helped save his mother, stating that this outcome was "a true miracle."
This operation, as miraculous as it may be for Ahlam Ferwana and her family, raises a fundamental question: would it have had the same outcome if her son had not worn the uniform of the US Navy?
The contrast is striking between the deployment of technical and diplomatic means for one person and the displayed powerlessness in the face of the fate of thousands of others. The use of cutting-edge surveillance technology, coordination with the Israeli army for a localized ceasefire, and the involvement of high-ranking officials contrast with the fate of other Palestinian civilians.
This case goes beyond the individual to question the very principles of humanitarian action in conflict zones. It crudely reveals how international relations and strategic interests can create categories of civilians, where the right to life seems proportional to their political or symbolic usefulness.
As Ahlam Ferwana awaits her visa for the United States, thousands of Palestinian mothers, without sons in the US Army, continue to struggle for their survival in relative indifference from the international community. Their ordeal poses a broader question: in the cold logic of international relations, do all civilian lives have the same value?
