This is War [Gaza]

[Israel]

Do you want total war

[/size]
To show the world an iron will?[/size]
_______________________[/center]

3 January 2009

A wide, evil smirk formed on Israel's face as he ordered his men to advance forward. Never, never again will he be the underdog. Never again will he allow his people to be persecuted. Never again will the Jews be driven out of their own land, the land that they lived in and deserved to have after centuries, no, millennia of being landless, like gypsies without a permanent country, scattered around the world. He will win this time, and he'll make sure that fear and submission will be imposed upon these people who have once tried to destroy him.

It was their fault, anyway. They started it, by continuously firing rockets and other shit at him. Why couldn't anyone just leave him in peace? All he wanted was to have a land for his people, who have been persecuted, mocked, scorned, ridiculed, murdered, plundered for centuries and centuries past by many, many different nations. All because they bear the name of 'Jew'. What crime was there in being a Jew? They never did anything wrong. All they wanted was to live a quiet, normal life. They never wanted to harm anyone.

But enough was enough.

He and his people have taken way enough shit. It was time to fight back.

And this time? He didn't care about civilian casualties, such as many other nations who had wished harm upon his people didn't care either. In fact, Jewish civilians were always the target, with him not having a proper military since he wasn't made a proper nation until 1947.

Besides, it's not like Hamas would care about not harming Israeli civilians either, anyway. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

"Charge, men! He shouted at the top of his lungs, pointing towards the border of the Gaza strip. Just one measly border separating him from his freedom. This was one step to peace. If he could show his neighbors that he's not someone they'd want to fuck with, they'd leave him the hell alone. At least, they'd better, or he's not going to hesitate to bomb the shit out of them.

Really, peace. Peace for his people. Their own land. For everyone to leave them the hell alone, for once. These were his only wishes, and should they be fulfilled, he'll stop bombing and pillaging and shooting. After all, he's only doing this for his own people's safety and guarantee of a land they can finally call their own.

As his men charged towards the border, soon gunshots were heard as they clashed with the Hamas soldiers on the other side. He walked towards said border casually, a passionate glint in his eyes, as the sound of his footsteps were lost to the din caused by war. War. If another war was the only way to peace, then he'd gladly go to any number of wars to achieve it.

Finally across the border, he soon got serious as he readied his gun and poised to shoot. One, two, three, four, five people, and counting. All of them fell by his hands. And each death was the guarantee of a step closer to victory.

This was really far too easy.

Maybe peace is within his grasp now.

Running quickly into a recently abandoned house for cover, he slumped to the ground, trying to calm his loudly beating heart and getting the adrenalin rush to calm back down. He panted and heaved, and sat on the floor for a few moments, counting his bullets and smoking a cigarette. He never really smoked, except during wars. Everyone seemed to do it, anyway. Besides, it helped calm him down.

He decided to rest for a while in this abandoned place as he ran a hand through his hair, his dark eyes surveying the surroundings. How many people were once living he-- No. He couldn't get soft now. Remember, they killed your civilians too, and displaced your people for centuries. This is nothing compared to the suffering you endured for millennia. He quietly told himself as the sound of his boots reverberated through the wooden floor. The sounds of gunshots were considerably farther away now.

"Hello?"[/i] He called out cautiously in Hebrew, checking for survivors. Maybe there was someone else still hiding in here. He didn't really know what he would do, but he wanted to check anyway.

He held his breath, stood in one place, and waited for a reply. A reply he hoped he wouldn't receive.

_______________________
Do you want total war

[/size]
Unleash the beast in man once more?[/center][/blockquote]

[The Gaza Strip]

Do you want might to prevail?

[/size]
To kick aside the weak and frail?[/size]
_______________________[/center]

She'd told them. Allah above, she'd told them
not to. But did they listen? Never. Aani knew something like this was going to happen, especially since Gabriyel took everything done against him worse than most other countries.

First there was the Massacre of the Black Saturday, December 27th of 2008, where her government buildings, police stations, and many other buildings were bombed. She lost 40 new policemen on the day of their graduation. Children were among the casualties. Aani herself was grievously injured that day, but she survived. She asked her bosses to stop. They didn't.

The very next day, twenty-five airstrikes later, the casualties were 287 dead and 900 wounded. And this just increased as the days went on. Aani found herself crying almost nonstop, unable to deal with the anxiety. Her hands shook when she tried to tend to the wounded, she almost stopped speaking altogether, her appetite was gone. She lived in constant fear.

Who would die, today?

What would she lose?

Would they finally come in and just kill them all?

Would it ever stop?

Would someone help?

Did they even care?

The Free Gaza movement never made it to her borders. In fact, she never heard of it until she was informed they'd been attacked and deterred. She just cried more.

By the beginning of the year 2009, she had lost most of her region. Her university was destroyed, her mosques burned, her people killed, her children killed. The airstrikes came without warning, usually. When there was warning, leaflets rained from the sky, or angry voices took over the radio. It was almost enough to drive one insane.

Aani's body developed nasty red burns, her wounds becoming infected. It was a miserable time, and she almost longed to die, just to end it all. But she couldn't. Her brother, Egypt, offered her medical assistance, but Hamas would not let her out. They wouldn't let anyone out. Israel wouldn't let anyone in. It wasn't until Gabriyel relinquished and let medical supplies and Sadik's ambulances in that she was treated. It was better, but not much.

On January 2nd, 2009, Hamas called for a 'Day of Wrath'. People filled the streets, protesting. Aani was forced to join, but all she wanted to do was hide. She heard the Israelis were bombing the boundary to clear it of landmines. Oh Allah, they were coming. Aani tried to warn them again, but thirty rockets were still launched at Israel. This was it.

3 January 2009

Aani ran. She was terrified of what they'd do to her if they found her. At least 100 of the more 400 casualties her people had suffered were women and children. They'd think nothing of killing her now that they were actually inside her boundaries. She left her home in search of somewhere to hide.

Gunshots rang in her ears before she even saw the soldiers. This couldn't be happening. No, nonononononononononono. She ducked into the cover of a home near the edge of her border. It was abandoned, the previous owners probably dead or fled away from the battle scene.

She shouldn't be here. She should have been in a real hiding place, not in the middle of the conflict, but she couldn't think straight. She ducked into a corner, curling into a ball and clapping her hands over her ears, trying to ignore the sounds of war.

War.

Funny, to think of it as war. Wasn't war when two entities fought each other until one subdued the other? But wasn't she already subdued? There never seemed to be any back and forth fighting. She was just hit and hit and hit and hit. She knew that her bosses sent rockets, but it didn't seem to be nearly as many as she was hit with. She just wanted it all to end.

The smell of smoke dragged her from her thoughts. Oh Allah, were they burning the house?! She jumped to her feet, looking for the bright flames, but never found any. Instead, she found the slumped form of an Israeli soldier.

Was he dead? Was he injured? Did he know she was here? She peeked at him, horrified, when he lifted his head. He was smoking. Oh-- Oh Allah.

OH ALLAH.

It was him. He had actually come to see her destruction. They'd formally and informally met only a few times, but this was the first that Aani was truly terrified of Gabriyel. He blocked the only way out, so she opted to hide in the very back, trying to make herself small as possible.

He said something in Hebrew, which she didn't understand, but she didn't, couldn't, answer. She tried to keep quiet, but she couldn't stop crying. Her low sobs accompanied the sound of his boots. She stared at her hands. She was shaking again. Allah, he was going to find her!

"P-Please, a-at least make it quick," she spoke in her own language, not even realizing it, but her voice shook terribly and even if he could understand, he'd have trouble making out the words.

_______________________
Do you want total war?

[/size]
Do you want total war?[/center]

[Israel]

The banner you're waving is burning in red

[/size]
You against the world[/size]
_______________________[/center]

Gabriyel could hear something… the faint sound of crying. Stifled sobbing. Oh god, so there was someone here.

He didn't want to have to kill a civilian by his own hands. He really didn't want to. He wouldn't hesitate to shoot one who points a gun at him in a heartbeat, but if it was a crying, scared, civilian- a child, even- he didn't know if he could do it.

She said something he couldn't understand, but that was expected since they don't speak the same language after all. He could try English, but he knew that would be useless. Besides, the other already knew he is Israeli. There's no use hiding it.

"Come out." He commanded, in Hebrew, in a stern voice. He didn't really know what else to do. But if she wasn't going to come out, then he's going to have to seek her.

Following the sound of her sobs, the partially destroyed wooden floor creaked here and there as he walked, emphasizing the intense silence in the room. Aside from faint sounds of gunshots, yelling, and exploding bombs, there was no other sound, so he could hear her sobs clearly. After a few minutes of searching high and low, he finally found her, slumped in a corner.

Oh god. He couldn't do it.

The way she curled in the corner, sobbing her heart out, scared out of her wits. She probably lost her parents in the bombing. And for the first time since he's proceeded with his attack, he had a hint of regret. Is what he is doing… really right? Here he is, about to kill a child, a mere, defenseless, innocent child who probably couldn't even brandish a dagger to save her life.

He shook his head to get away from that thought. Yes, what he is doing right now is right. What he is about to do could not compare to what his people has suffered at the hands of stronger nations for thousands and thousands of years. There had been far more Jewish children that died by those rockets and by the persecution that they had experienced ever since they existed. Killing this one child is revenge, a mere trifle compared to the number of Jewish children that died at the hands of malicious anti-Semites.

He then raised his pistol (he didn't think he needed his big rifle to kill her) shakily towards her direction, biting his lower lip so hard it drew out blood. He had to kill her, if he wanted peace for his people. This land should be his. This land belonged to the ancient Jews, a land bestowed upon them by God himself, the land flowing with milk and honey. And then, in that moment, he met her eyes.

And studied her face.

It couldn't be.

He's only met her a few times, but he couldn't be mistaken.

Aani. Gaza. Gaza Strip, herself.

This should have been good, right? She was right in front of him, defenseless, and if he killed her, the very personification of her nation, then it would be a huge advantage. He could win this war in a flash.

But… at the same time, something inside him told him this wasn't right.

Lowering his pistol, he sighed heavily, throwing his finished cigarette to the ground and stomping on it with his boot. He then sat on the foot of the stairs (or what remained of the stairs) directly opposite of Gaza, before sighing again.

He really didn't know what to say. Or do.

"Uhhh… I'm… not… going to… hurt you."[/i] Gabriyel said slowly in the little Arabic that he knew, then switched to English. "Just… stop crying. I'm not going to kill you. Promise." To emphasize his point, he tucked his pistol back in his holster, and laid the rifle that was slung over his shoulder at a considerable distance away from him. He had to make her trust him, at least just a little bit.

"Look… I can't let you go, but I'm not going to kill you, either. So if you just stay put and do as I say, then I won't hurt you, alright?" He didn't really sound threatening, but he knew it came across as a threat, especially coming from him.

He took one last look at her and sighed, running his fingers through his hair again. Conscience really is a man's formidable enemy.

_______________________
Diamonds and pearls

[/size]
It never mattered, mattered, mattered, anyway[/center][/blockquote]

[The Gaza Strip]

And it's ashes to ashes again

[/size]
Should we even try to pretend?[/size]
_______________________[/center]


Gabriyel, Jibrail in her own language, was the angel who spoke God's word unto Muhammad. He spoke to each of the prophets and told their obligations.

He is the chief of the four favored angels and the spirit of truth.

The Holy Spirit.

Perhaps this was a sign, Israel's name and the meaning behind it. He was going to be the one to end it for her, she knew it. If she had any strength or resolve left, she might try to run away while he looked for her, but instead she stayed where she was, shuddering with chest-wracking sobs.

She heard him say something in his language, probably a command from the way it sounded. She paused, thinking about what she should do. Should she even bother? She was good as dead, either way. Perhaps if she complied, he'd make it quick and painless.

She shakily stood, shuffling forward a few steps like a lamb blindly led to the slaughter. But she wasn't blind.

She brushed her hair back into her hijab, deciding to die looking like a good girl, modest as in life. At least, when she died, Allah would see her this way. She had heard more than enough rumors about the horrors Israeli soldiers committed to Palestinian girls, both alive and dead.

He raised his pistol and she stared at it head-on, eyes focusing directly onto the black barrel. This would be her last stand and she would be brave again, like she used to be.

She felt a few rebellious tears stream down her face and waited anxiously for the gunshot. The floorboards creaked under her as her whole body began shaking again.

"Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the Revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims." She whispered the words so softly, she wasn't even sure if she said them or not.

It didn't come.

This was confusing. Aani lifted her eyes from the gun to the man holding it. His lower lip was bleeding, the red liquid rolling down his chin. Was he bleeding before?

Was this some sort of game he was playing? He had her cornered, defenseless. He hadn't had any second thoughts about killing women and children before this. Then why was he taking so long? Trying to build the suspense?

She examined his face again and was startled. He actually seemed to be reconsidering. Then he lowered the gun and heaved a sigh.

Her resolve broke immediately. The relief that she was not going to die overwhelmed her and she crumpled to the ground, heaving sobs she didn't know she had left.

He tried to speak Arabic, and the accent was bad and it hard to understand, but he said he would not hurt her. Then he switched to English.

She could speak English, Arthur had seen to it that she could speak English quite proficiently.

Jibrail was the speaker of truth, and if the archangel ever came to her, she would believe every word he said.

Perhaps, and this was a long shot, but perhaps Jibrail was speaking through the Israeli. Perhaps he had changed his mind.

And she was to do as told before Jibrail lost control and he changed his mind again.

She wept for a moment longer, before trying to stop, sniffling and rubbing at her eyes and nose. The tears stopped, but the sobs continued as she listened to him speak again.

"I-I will stay...." she managed, looking up at the Israeli. Yes, he had uttered a threat, but he said he wouldn't hurt her if she listened and stayed still, so she did.

Perhaps, if she lived, there was hope for her people yet.

"Then will God say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.'"

_______________________
All our lives that shine strong only lasts for so long

[/size]
I WON'T CALM DOWN[/center]

[Israel]

Broken homes from separation

[/size]
Don't you know it's violation?[/size]
_______________________[/center]

"I-I will stay…"

She uttered the words he never thought he would hear from her. He had thought she would try to fight back, to run, as is the first instinct of anyone put into this situation. But she didn't. She'll willingly stay.

She spoke in such a broken voice, a voice so quiet he could barely hear what she was saying. Though he knew the tears had stopped, he saw that she was still sobbing. Crying. All because their bosses couldn't agree with each other.

All he really wanted is peace for his own people. True, he didn't care what methods he had to go through to achieve it. True, he never really cared about civilian casualties. But that was before he saw how… how broken this innocent girl is, forced to bear the burden of being a nation on her small, young shoulders. She is clearly not meant nor ready for war. And he hated that he had to do this to someone so… innocent. And pure. A ray of light shining dimly in the midst of the darkness of this world.

If only they would just give up and leave him alone. All he wants is a piece of land to call his own. That's all there is to it. If they leave his borders alone, then he'd leave them alone, too. Peace for everyone. No more fighting. No more shooting, and plundering, and pillaging, and killing. No more sounds of gunshots, shouts of pain, war cries. None of those, if they'd give up and leave him be.

Glancing at the still sobbing girl, he heaved another deep sigh as he quietly and carefully reached into his pack, fumbling around for a few minutes before finally taking out what he was looking for. A canteen filled with water. Without a word, he slid the bottle over to the other, smiling a little bit. He had to work on not appearing too… intimidating. And even if it was just offering a bit of water, he wanted to show her some degree of kindness, too. An intention to prove that he isn't lying when he said he wasn't going to hurt her. And besides, she must need water after all that sobbing and crying that she did. Her throat must be parched.

Seems like they're going to be here for a while. He couldn't exactly drag her around while random shootouts are happening. He couldn't endanger her life like that, and here at least, they'll be safe and he could protect her should harm come at any time.

Wait, protect her? She is the enemy, yes. But somehow, Gabriyel couldn't bring himself to let the girl get hurt in any way. She needed protection, someone stronger to ensure her safety. And he was going to be that person, whether he liked it or not. He did not have any personal vendetta against her. It was her bosses and his bosses. He was merely following orders. And besides, his bosses only wanted him to subdue Palestine and Gaza enough so that they'd never think of fighting back again. They promised him peace if he did that one thing. And so, here he is.

And going by this logic, since she herself isn't really his enemy, and the fact that she's defenseless especially in the middle of this war, then it's only logical that he should protect her. Though he really doubt anything will happen over here, since the sounds of war were pretty far from them. The sounds were but a mere echo from where they were really coming from.

Leaning against the remains of the stairs handrail, he made himself comfortable as he lit a cigarette, taking a long, relieving drag. He blew out the smoke away from the other, his eyes looking off into the far distance as he removed his cap and laid it beside him. Awkward silence passed. Well, there really was nothing to say to her. Nothing at all. And there was nothing to do, nothing to talk about, no nothing. They would both just sit there… and wait. For what, until when, he didn't know. But then again, he didn't know where to go, either. Or where to take her.

And then, he remembered.

That one song written by one of his own.

The one song he's always wanted, wished to come true.

The song, Hevenu Shalom Aleinu, "We Brought Peace Upon Us" in English. Ma Ana Ajmal Min Salam in Arab. The one song where both Israeli and Palestinian singers sung together, had fun, laughed, danced, played. It was a beautiful song, a song that gave him hope that maybe one day, he and his people could coexist with the Arabs peacefully, live with them side by side on this land, with no problems at all.

I wonder if she's heard of it. Gabriyel glanced at the girl, then training his eyes on a spot on the wall, began singing in his low tenor. Maybe she has heard of the song, and could sing the Arab parts. Well, he'll never know unless he tries.


yesh beneynu hiburim [We have connections between us]
she'horeynu lo halmu [Of which our parents never dreamt]
yesh beneynu diburim [We have discussions among us]
she'ad koh lo nishme'u. [That were never before heard.]

anahnu kan bishvil koolam [We are here for everyone]
anahnu gesher ve'soolam [We are a bridge and a ladder]
bishvil mi she'holem [For all those who dream]
bishvil mi she'halam. [For all those who have dreamt.]

ve'od be'hayeynu [And still in our lifetime]
ve'od be'yameynu [And still in our days]
nashir be'koleynu: [We will sing with our voices:]

Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Shalom Aleinu! [Peace upon us!]

Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Hevenu Shalom Aleinu! [We brought peace upon us!]
Shalom Aleinu… [Peace upon us!][/i]

_______________________
It's so wrong, but you'll see

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Never gonna let you take my world from me[/center]

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Link: Hevenu Shalom Aleinu/ Ma Ana Ajmal Min Salam. This song was made in 2000 by an Israeli singer/composer/conductor named Shlomo Gronich.[/blockquote]