Neil van der Linden (hij/hem, he/him)

He was released from prison only to be devastated by the news that his entire family had been killed. There was no one waiting to receive him, no one left to embrace him. All of his family were killed. His only “fault” was that he worked as an intensive care medical provider in northern Gaza. He was imprisoned, and his family was killed in what feels like retaliation for his humanity. He is not alone—many of his colleagues have suffered similar fates, targeted, imprisoned, and having their families taken from them.What kind of pain is this? 💔 My friend and colleague in the intensive care unit at the Indonesian Hospital for several years, Dr. Ahmad, was released from prison only to find that the occupation had killed his family. 💔 What kind of injustice is this? My friend Ahmad writes: “ My beautiful family, I miss your presence… I miss holding all of you, I miss your embrace and being with you. My beloved wife Asmaa, my daughter Ghina—the soul of my heart. I left prison longing for you, my heart burning with love and anticipation to see you again. I never imagined I would be denied that reunion. I was shocked and devastated by the news. Since that day, I have been lost, numb… I have nothing left but to move between your photos. Life has no meaning without you. I ask God to accept you and to reunite us in the highest levels of Paradise. Praise be to Him for His decree and destiny. To be a family, and then to become shattered… is an unbearable feeling.” May God grant you patience, my friend, mend your broken heart, and replace your pain with a healing that eases its bitterness.