Being a queer person in Gaza during the war
TLDR
In the article "Queer, HIV-Positive, and Running Out of Medication in Gaza," published by The Intercept, authors Afeef Nessouli and Steven W. Thrasher expose the dire circumstances faced by E.S., a queer, HIV-positive Palestinian man trapped in Gaza during the ongoing war. E.S. struggles to survive without access to life-saving HIV medication amid widespread destruction, a collapsed healthcare system, and severe social stigma. His story highlights how war, systemic neglect, and social marginalization intersect to create life-threatening conditions for vulnerable communities in Gaza.
The article paints a powerful and distressing picture of how marginalized individuals, particularly queer and HIV-positive people, are disproportionately affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. E.S., the central figure in the story, embodies the intersection of multiple forms of vulnerability: war, illness, and societal rejection.
Gaza's healthcare system, already weakened by years of blockade and conflict, has collapsed under the weight of the ongoing war. Critical medical supplies have become inaccessible, including antiretroviral medications like tenofovir and lopinavir/ritonavir. E.S. has been forced to ration his medication, risking rapid health deterioration and exposure to deadly infections due to his weakened immune system. This dangerous situation underscores how the war has turned treatable conditions into life-threatening illnesses.
While Israel officially denies blocking medical aid, humanitarian organizations report that deliveries of HIV medications have been obstructed. Groups like Glia have had medical shipments confiscated, and volunteers have been barred from entering Gaza, highlighting how political and military barriers cripple humanitarian efforts. This blockade of medical aid has turned E.S.'s situation from a health issue into a matter of survival.
Social stigma intensifies E.S.'s suffering. In Gaza's conservative society, both homosexuality and HIV/AIDS are highly stigmatized. E.S. has been ostracized by his family, who view his illness as a source of shame, leaving him without emotional or social support. His deteriorating health, compounded by mental health struggles, malnutrition, and physical disability, leaves him unable to seek safety or escape the war-torn region.
Despite advocacy efforts, systemic barriers continue to block effective humanitarian intervention. Even when doctors secured the necessary medication, political obstacles prevented its delivery. Efforts by figures like Dr. Tarek Loubani, who attempted to bring in critical medical supplies, were thwarted, reflecting the broader issue of restricted access for aid organizations.
E.S.'s experience highlights not only the immediate dangers of war but also the long-term impacts of medical neglect and social exclusion. His survival depends on fragile humanitarian networks and moments of extraordinary compassion, underscoring the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access and protection for vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Concluding Reflections
Afeef Nessouli and Steven W. Thrasher's article in The Intercept is a sobering examination of how war, systemic neglect, and social stigma converge to threaten the lives of marginalized individuals in Gaza. E.S.'s story is a stark reminder that war amplifies existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting those who are already vulnerable. His struggle for survival highlights the catastrophic impact of blocked medical aid and the compounded dangers faced by LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive individuals in conflict zones.
Source:
Afeef Nessouli and Steven W. Thrasher, "Queer, HIV-Positive, and Running Out of Medication in Gaza," The Intercept, 2024.
