In the heart of Gaza, where life is a daily battle between hope and despair, Hana Tarazi chose a path few dared to walk. As the first female Christian lawyer to open a law office in Gaza, she entered a world dominated by men, breaking barriers with every case she took. Her work took her from civil to religious and military courts, fighting for justice in a place where justice often seemed out of reach. But Hana wanted more than just a career. She wanted to serve, not just through the law but through faith, leadership, and knowledge.
Bethlehem Bible College had always been her dream, a place where she could deepen her understanding of Christian theology, leadership, and ministry. But as a woman living in Gaza, that dream seemed almost impossible. No such programs were available in her city, and the idea of studying in Bethlehem itself was out of reach. Still, when the opportunity arose to enroll in a master’s program in Leadership and Christian Ministry, she seized it.
Her journey, however, was far from easy. She began her studies during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world shut down and education moved online. At first, she was relieved that she could attend classes remotely, but soon, she realized the challenges that came with it. Internet service in Gaza was unreliable at best, and she struggled to stay connected many nights during her lectures. Sometimes, the electricity would cut out in the middle of a lesson, leaving her staring at a blank screen, unable to participate.
Unlike students in other places, she had no access to a theological library or academic resources beyond what the college provided digitally. Research was difficult, and writing papers often felt like a test of patience rather than knowledge. Yet, despite these obstacles, Hana refused to give up. She found ways to adapt, using whatever resources she had to stay engaged with her studies. The professors and staff at Bethlehem Bible College did everything they could to support her and other students in Gaza, making sure they never felt forgotten.
Even with all these struggles, nothing could have prepared her for what came next.
War.
It arrived suddenly, as it always did, with bombs lighting up the sky and buildings crumbling into dust. Life as she knew it changed overnight. The streets were filled with panic, people running, searching for safety. There was no electricity, no running water, no way to communicate with the outside world. Food supplies ran low, and for months, families survived on canned food, unable to find fresh fruits or vegetables. Hospitals collapsed under the weight of the wounded, and many were left without medical care.
Hana’s own home became unsafe, forcing her to seek shelter within the walls of her church. There, she found not only protection but also a sense of purpose. She spent her days in prayer, holding onto faith when everything else seemed lost. Inside the church, people came together, Muslims and Christians sharing what little they had, comforting each other in the face of overwhelming loss.
For months, the city was unrecognizable. Buildings turned to rubble, families torn apart, children searching for loved ones beneath the ruins. The lucky ones found temporary refuge in crowded shelters or tents, while others had nowhere to go but the streets. The isolation was suffocating. No one could leave, no one could enter. Gaza had become a prison of destruction.
But even in the darkest of times, Hana refused to lose hope. She had already overcome so much. Why stop now?
As International Women’s Day is approaching, the world celebrates the strength and achievements of women, and Hana has a message to share. The Palestinian woman, she said, is not just a mother, a wife, or a daughter. She is the heart of resilience. She is the mother of prisoners, the sister of martyrs, and the voice of the voiceless. She is the fighter, the survivor, the one who keeps moving forward even when the world tried to break her.
And so, despite the war, hardships, and everything she had endured, Hana still dared to dream. She dreams of a future where Gaza would rise again, where peace would replace destruction, where children could go to school without fear, and where justice, faith, and knowledge would light the way forward.
Because Gaza is not just a place of suffering, it is a place of strength, faith, and dreams yet to be fulfilled. And no matter how difficult the road ahead, Hana Tarazi will keep fighting for that future.
