‘I worried I might start finding it normal. But I never did’ – what I learned as the Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent

The author reflects on their harrowing journey as a journalist covering the Gaza conflict, balancing personal accountability with reporting duties. Faced with relentless challenges—from extreme weather to traumatic incidents—they grapple with the emotional toll of their work while critiquing Israel's prolonged occupation and its compounding Palestinian hopes for dignity and statehood. Despite their dedication, disillusionment over the occupation's impact on Israelis and the lack of diplomatic solutions drives them toward leaving Gaza, leaving behind the trauma they've witnessed to focus on reconstruction and healing.