Las Raras Podcast: "Gaza: un ataque al corazón"
Date: October 7, 2025
Host/Producers: Las Raras (Catalina May & Martín Cruz)
Key Guest: Kayed Callet (traductor, productor periodístico y refugiado palestino)
Overview
This powerful documentary episode from Las Raras tells the harrowing story of Kayed Callet, a Palestinian translator and producer in Gaza. Through Kayed's life—from a refugee camp childhood, to building a family and career, surviving decades of war, to ultimately fleeing Gaza in 2025—the episode explores the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza after the events of October 7, 2023. Using first-person testimony, immersive sound design, and a collaboration with Un Tema al Día and journalist Miquel Ayestarán, "Gaza: un ataque al corazón" is both a chronicle of survival and an indictment of global indifference.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kayed’s Early Life and Family History
- Kayed was born in a refugee camp in Gaza, victim to the consequences of the Nakba (1948).
- His family’s experience is emblematic of generational trauma, forced exile and poverty:
- "...hemos pasado mucha hambre. No había muchas cosas. No había juguetes, zapatillas. Bueno, tenías que cuidar una zapatilla más que tu cuerpo mismo..." – Kayed (04:55)
- Education was seen as the only way out of poverty:
- "Nuestra esperanza de salir de esto es estudiar." – Kayed (05:25)
2. Living Under Occupation & Resistance
- Kayed’s youth was defined by political resistance against Israeli occupation, first through Fatah and then as an independent:
- "Yo utilizo la cabeza y me dicen que tengo mucha cara. Y yo no tengo velo en la lengua." – Kayed (07:25)
- He describes imprisonment, torture, and the ultimate disillusionment with factions, but a persistent commitment to resisting the occupation.
3. Cycles of War, Survival, and Loss
- The first Intifada, Oslo Accords, Second Intifada, and continuous escalations form the backdrop:
- "En Gaza todo se cambia bruscamente. Entonces no se puede confiar en la vida." – Kayed (16:09)
- Even as he builds a professional life assisting foreign journalists, war repeatedly destroys his home and livelihood.
4. Attack of October 7, 2023 and The Aftermath
- The episode details the Hamas attack, Israeli retaliation, and ensuing devastation (16:43).
- Kayed’s family home is bombed; he chooses not to evacuate south as ordered, fearing permanent exile:
- "No voy a decir ni recibo órdenes de los israelíes." – Kayed (18:07)
5. Humanitarian Catastrophe and 'Menú de Gaza' Project
- Electricity, water, and basic food become scarce. Kayed’s family survives on a single meal a day.
- Miquel Ayestarán, Spanish correspondent and friend, initiates a daily Instagram chronicle—Menú de Gaza—featuring photographs and stories of their meals as a form of resistance and testimony (21:42).
- “Eso porque nosotros. Una manera de resistencia. Lo que podemos.” – Kayed (22:14)
- Dalia, Kayed’s daughter, documents each plate; Amal, his wife, cooks under dire conditions.
6. Personal Loss and Emotional Devastation
- Omar, Kayed’s eldest son and university graduate, is killed in a bombing while delivering medicine (25:01).
- “La mitad del corazón se nos… todo lo enterré en el sudario de mi hijo Omar.” – Kayed (25:25)
- The family suffers further displacement and loss, yet persists in reporting and sharing their experience (26:29).
7. Recognition for Testimony and the Struggle for Survival
- Menú de Gaza wins the Ortega y Gasset journalism prize for multimedia coverage (30:47).
- Miquel's acceptance: “...es un menú para denunciar lo que es el uso del hambre como arma de guerra." – Miquel Ayestarán (31:14)
- Kayed sends a message to the ceremony underscoring the horror in Gaza:
- “Es mejor morir con un misil o una bomba. Lo que sea más rápido y más fácil que el hambre.” – Kayed (31:45)
8. Escape and Uncertain New Beginnings
- With support from Spanish journalists' advocacy, the family is finally able to leave Gaza in June 2025, after nearly 20 months of war (33:49).
- The last Menú de Gaza photo is "arroz solo" (plain rice).
- In Spain, the family begins to rebuild their lives, seeking asylum and health care, with hope for the younger children.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Survival and Resistance:
- “Yo estoy viviendo de sobra. Uno como yo debería haber muerto no sé hace mucho.” – Kayed (00:40)
- War Trauma:
- “Quemaduras de napalm. Eso no se apaga con agua. Hay que taparle con arena para que se apague.” – Kayed (03:08)
- Refusing Forced Evacuation:
- “No voy a decir ni recibo órdenes de los israelíes.” – Kayed (18:07)
- On Reporting While Under Siege:
- “Miro el cielo y veo las estrellas. Como si fueran estrellas fugaces. Pero son misiles.” – Kayed (19:07)
- On Losing His Son:
- “La mitad del corazón se nos… todo lo enterré en el sudario de mi hijo Omar.” – Kayed (25:25)
- “Me gustaría llorar. No puedo. No puedo. Ya está. Se me han secado las lágrimas. Algunas veces me siento. Sí, hay lágrimas. Pero no saltan. Fuera. Dentro. Me queman el corazón como un agua fuerte.” – Kayed (26:01)
- On Hunger as a Weapon:
- “Estamos pasando hambre, pero... hemos llegado a comer la cebada y maíz de animales. Los animales han sufrido porque nosotros hemos comido su comida.” – Kayed (24:40)
- On the Absurdity of Survival:
- “Los días, aunque parezca mentira, son monótonos. A pesar del dolor que siento en mi corazón porque echo de menos a mi hijo Omar.” – Kayed (27:47)
- On the World’s Silence:
- “Nos extraña este silencio internacional.” – Kayed (29:33)
- On Leaving Gaza:
- “Ya no quedó ahora lugar o posibilidades de resistir contra el tiempo.” – Kayed (32:34)
- Last Message From Gaza:
- “Es mejor morir con un misil o una bomba. Lo que sea más rápido y más fácil que el hambre. Eso es todo.” – Kayed (31:45)
Important Timestamps
- 00:46 – 01:33: Introduction of Kayed’s family and achievements.
- 03:08 – 04:34: Family’s history of displacement, Nakba, and early trauma.
- 06:09 – 08:06: Kayed’s political resistance and imprisonment.
- 16:36 – 18:33: October 7, 2023 attacks and loss of family home.
- 21:42 – 24:01: Launch and evolution of Menú de Gaza project.
- 25:01 – 26:29: Death of Omar and the impossibility of mourning.
- 30:47 – 31:45: Recognition at Ortega y Gasset awards, Kayed’s message from Gaza.
- 33:49 – 34:46: Family’s escape, final days in Gaza, and hope for the future.
Conclusion
Gaza: un ataque al corazón is a raw, humanizing narrative of war, resistance, and survival under extreme adversity. Through meticulous sound design, direct testimony, and a focus on daily life (Menú de Gaza), Las Raras amplifies voices seldom heard, indicting not just the violence but the world’s inaction. Yet, within tragedy, it documents dignity, journalistic solidarity, and the enduring will to survive and document.
This episode is essential for understanding the civilian experience in Gaza, the mechanisms of survival and testimony under siege, and the power of small acts of resistance in the face of overwhelming violence.