Mornings in Jenin

The narrative in this section is in Amal’s first-person voice. When she is eight years old, Dalia starts to instruct her in midwifery as she attends the births of women in the refugee camp. Dalia is an efficient but severe mother, and she defends the rebellious young Amal against the neighbors’ criticisms. On the other hand, Hasan is a loving and affectionate father who starts reading to Amal in the early mornings on the terrace when she is five. She learns to love the poetry he reads and carries the comfort of those memories through her life.

Just before her 12th birthday, Amal is playing with her close friend, Huda, when her father calls them home. Israel has just attacked Egypt, and the refugees are excited at the prospect of returning to Palestine if the Arab armies defeat the Zionists. At the same time, they’re nervous about the imminent disruption. The men are handed the weapons Hasan has stored for such an occasion and listen to his authoritative instructions. They wait as explosions can be heard in the distance, continuing over the next few days.