Before the war, Bilal Ramadan’s life was painted in vibrant colors. A young artist from Gaza, a graduate in engineering, and a gifted oud player, he lived simply — surrounded by dreams, art, and music. His days were spent creating in his studio, playing melodies that spoke to the soul, and building a future filled with promise. But when the siege tightened and the bombings began, everything changed.
Loss Beyond Measure
In the devastation of the 2023 war — the deadliest Gaza has faced — Bilal lost nearly everything:
- His older and younger brothers.
- His best friend and his sister’s husband, leaving behind a child without a father.
- His cherished art and music studio — his creative refuge.
- His beloved oud, the instrument through which he expressed his deepest emotions.
The destruction did not stop there. His home was reduced to rubble. Friends were gone. And with every explosion, the sense of safety he once knew disappeared.
Carrying the Weight Alone
Today, Bilal lives surrounded by destruction, hunger, and fear. He is the sole provider for a family of ten — including children and his elderly parents, both battling chronic illnesses. His father suffers from a painful skin condition, and his mother struggles with high blood pressure.
There are nights when Bilal sleeps hungry, and days when clean water or bread is nowhere to be found. His own body bears the scars of this crisis — his weight has dropped from 69 kg to just 53 kg due to prolonged hunger.
The Artist Who Refuses to Stop Creating
And yet… despite it all, Bilal never stopped painting.
Even under bombardment, he creates art — not just to heal himself, but to bring hope to children who have seen far too much pain. Sometimes, with what little he has, he buys food or small gifts to share with them.
“Their smiles are the only thing that remind me life is still worth living,” he says.
Ways To Support Bilal
