Yuli and Emma Cunio, three-year-old twins from Israel, have been separated by the war in Gaza, which started on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took around 240 hostages. The twins, who were born conjoined and underwent a successful separation surgery in 2022, have been living in different parts of the country, as their parents decided to split them up for their safety.
Yuli, who suffers from a heart condition and needs constant medical care, has been staying with his mother, Talia, in a hospital in Tel Aviv, where he has been receiving treatment and undergoing tests. Emma, who is healthy and active, has been staying with his father, Yossi, in a kibbutz near the Gaza border, where he has been playing and learning with other children.
The twins, who are very close and love each other dearly, have not seen each other for more than four months, as the war has made it impossible for them to travel and reunite. The twins, who used to communicate through video calls and messages, have also lost contact, as the internet and phone services have been disrupted by the rockets and airstrikes.
The story of the separated twins is a disturbing manifestation of the human cost and the tragedy of the war in Gaza, which has affected tens of thousands of Palestinian and Israeli children, who have been displaced, injured, traumatized, and killed by the violence.
A Violent and Deadly War in the Middle East
The war in Gaza, which has been one of the most violent and deadly wars in the Middle East, has claimed the lives of more than 29,000 Palestinians and more than 300 Israelis, and has injured more than 100,000 Palestinians and more than 2,000 Israelis, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and the Israeli Defense Forces. The war has also caused widespread damage and destruction to buildings and infrastructure, and has left more than 75 percent of the population in Gaza and millions of people in Israel without access to basic services, such as water, electricity, and health care.
The war, which started after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took around 240 hostages, has been fueled by the political and religious tensions and the historical grievances between the two sides, as well as by the regional and international influences and interests. The war has also been marked by the use of advanced and sophisticated weapons and technologies, such as drones, missiles, tunnels, and cyberattacks, which have increased the intensity and the complexity of the conflict.
The international community has been trying to broker a ceasefire and end the hostilities, but the efforts have been unsuccessful so far. The United States, which is a close ally of Israel, has drafted a resolution for the UN Security Council calling for a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable”, but the resolution has not been adopted yet. The UK, which is also a friend of Israel, has called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” for the first time since the war began, and has urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
A Hope for a Peaceful and Prosperous Future
The twins, who are innocent victims of the war, have been longing for the day when they can see each other again, and hug and kiss each other. The twins, who have been living in fear and uncertainty, have also been dreaming of a peaceful and prosperous future, where they can grow up together, and enjoy their childhood and their life.
The twins, who have been receiving support and love from their parents, their relatives, their friends, and their doctors, have also been showing resilience and courage, and have been inspiring others with their optimism and their smile. The twins, who have been praying and hoping for the end of the war, have also been expressing their wish for peace and harmony, and have been sending messages of friendship and kindness to the children on the other side.
The twins, who have been separated by the war, have also been united by their bond and their spirit, and have been symbolizing the hope and the possibility of a better and a brighter future for the region.
