Zainab Tamer Khalil al-Akkah

This is the testimony of the uncle, written in truth for history, and so that the world may know the cruelty and depravity of the Zionist army: For three days now, my father has been digging with his bare hands through concrete and rubble, hoping to find his young son, Tamer Khalil al-Akkah, his wife Hind Hassouna, and their children, Tala, Zainab, and Khalil, but to no avail. Tamer, the handsome, brown-skinned young man... Tamer and I used to bicker constantly, but we grew wiser as we got older. My beloved brother Tamer, my God, we all know how strong and active he was, how much he loved to be on the move. Ever since they said the entire block where he was had been bombed, we've been saying, "No, surely my brother is alive, my brother will get out from the rubble on his own." My brother, everyone, he knew how to do everything, and everywhere he went he had people who loved him and friends. Every place and every house he entered, he turned into a place of fun and joy. In any house he entered, broken appliances and tools would appear for him to fix with the expertise he'd gained from experience, and he would fix anything for free. He was always ready to help; everyone would ask for his assistance, and the amazing thing is that he always knew how to manage. He always had some new invention at home, and he turned the staircase into a green garden, just like his soul. But why couldn't he get out on his own this time? Why didn't he come out and tell us, "Here I am, I've come to light up the house," as he always used to say when he walked in the door? And which door? Because in every house he had a place and a meal waiting for him. Lucky was the woman whose cooking he liked and praised. Tamer had refined taste; not just any food or clothing pleased him. And he could make something out of nothing. But why, my brother, haven't you come out yet? We are not helpless, and Tamer is strong, and my father, that mountain of a man, is not helpless either. My father has a contracting company with equipment... he spent 40 years working and building in this country. But there is no fuel to clear the whole area and pull out his son and his grandchildren. Oh God, have mercy on my father and mother and give them patience... Where are you, Tamer? Why didn't you come out? You must have been busy with your children, your beloved ones, and you didn't know who to save first. Is there anyone in the world who loves and pampers his children as much as you did, my brother? Come back, all of you. Come on, come on my brother, my beloved, come back. We have not lost hope for you.