Chana Joffe-Walt

I asked Maram later, what do you think Banias gets out of talking to me? She told me, you're a bubble for her. Every time you call, she treats it like an important meeting, tries to find a private space away from all of us. Everyone around Banyas is in the midst of this chaos, she said. You're not here. You're not experiencing any of this.

I asked Maram later, what do you think Banias gets out of talking to me? She told me, you're a bubble for her. Every time you call, she treats it like an important meeting, tries to find a private space away from all of us. Everyone around Banyas is in the midst of this chaos, she said. You're not here. You're not experiencing any of this.

Banyas was telling me a version of life where she has ultimate authority, where she gets to be the narrator. Who doesn't want that? I was coming to her to understand the war, but she was coming to me to not talk about the war. Until one day, she did. That's coming up from Chicago Public Radio when our program continues.

Banyas was telling me a version of life where she has ultimate authority, where she gets to be the narrator. Who doesn't want that? I was coming to her to understand the war, but she was coming to me to not talk about the war. Until one day, she did. That's coming up from Chicago Public Radio when our program continues.

It's This American Life. I'm Chana Jaffe-Walt sitting in for Ira Glass. Our show today, The Narrator. An eight-year-old in Gaza tells us about her life in the middle of a war. This war started in 2023. Hamas attacked Israel, killed about 1,200 people, and took 251 people hostage. Since then, Israel has launched a 14-month ground invasion and bombing campaign in Gaza.

It's This American Life. I'm Chana Jaffe-Walt sitting in for Ira Glass. Our show today, The Narrator. An eight-year-old in Gaza tells us about her life in the middle of a war. This war started in 2023. Hamas attacked Israel, killed about 1,200 people, and took 251 people hostage. Since then, Israel has launched a 14-month ground invasion and bombing campaign in Gaza.

More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 13,000 of those dead are children. Banyas and her family never moved into a tent. After the Israeli army issued that evacuation order for Darabala, her parents agonized over when and if they should flee for days. The dangers of moving into a tent could be worse than tanks outside their house. They decided to stay put.

More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 13,000 of those dead are children. Banyas and her family never moved into a tent. After the Israeli army issued that evacuation order for Darabala, her parents agonized over when and if they should flee for days. The dangers of moving into a tent could be worse than tanks outside their house. They decided to stay put.

It was early October. The family was coming up on a year of war and displacement, and Banyas had an announcement.

It was early October. The family was coming up on a year of war and displacement, and Banyas had an announcement.

Yesterday there was no bombing or fighting?

Yesterday there was no bombing or fighting?

What do you mean? Who did you kill all of?

What do you mean? Who did you kill all of?

I realized as we were talking, this was October 2nd, the day before, Iran had launched 180 missiles at Israel.

I realized as we were talking, this was October 2nd, the day before, Iran had launched 180 missiles at Israel.

Keyifna. Keyifna? Yes. What's keyifna mean?

Keyifna. Keyifna? Yes. What's keyifna mean?

Banias, you're talking about the missiles yesterday to the Israelis? Yes. How did you feel about that?

Banias, you're talking about the missiles yesterday to the Israelis? Yes. How did you feel about that?