As Ukraine continues to battle Russia’s invasion, many women who have lost their loved ones in the war are finding solace in art. Through an initiative called “She is Alive: Love Stories,” grieving wives and mothers are expressing their sorrow, resilience, and love for their fallen family members on canvas.

A Mother’s Pain, A Nation’s Struggle

Svitlana Poltavska, a resident of Troitske in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, knows firsthand the horrors of Russian occupation. When the war began in February 2022, her husband, a soldier in the State Border Guard Service, was sent to the front lines and was killed within days.

Left alone with her two children, Svitlana endured four months under Russian occupation, subjected to violent searches and intimidation. Russian soldiers repeatedly told her to “say thank you” for not harming her children—yet.

“There is nothing human in the Russian army, only total cruelty,” Svitlana said, recalling how she shielded her children from the abuse she suffered.

She eventually managed to escape in mid-2022 and later joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, determined to defend her country in honor of her late husband.

“A truce at any price is impossible because the price has already been set—the lives of our men, our sons. And there will never be forgiveness for this,” she said.

Painting as a Form of Healing

Like many women in Ukraine, Svitlana found solace in art therapy. The “She is Alive: Love Stories” project provides a safe space for women who have lost their husbands or sons, helping them channel their grief into painting.

“I never painted before, but now it’s my way of showing my love for my husband,” she said, showcasing a painting where she depicted him as a guardian angel watching over their children.

Olena Sokalska, the project’s founder, explains that the initiative allows women to share their pain without words.

“They come here to paint, to talk, to celebrate birthdays. Each of them understands the pain of losing a loved one,” she said.

With over 300 paintings created so far, each piece represents a family torn apart by war. However, the demand for support far exceeds capacity—3,000 women remain on a waiting list for art therapy sessions.

A Son Lost, A Future Stolen

Among the grieving mothers is Vita Kharchuk from Kyiv, whose 22-year-old son Vitaliy was a soldier in the Azov regiment defending Mariupol.

Vitaliy sent his mother a photo on February 26, 2022, just two days after Russia’s full-scale invasion. In it, he is smiling, carrying an NLAW anti-tank weapon on his shoulder. Soon after, he was killed in combat.

“I lost my child, and a child is a future,” Vita said, tears streaming down her face. “I will never have grandchildren, never have anything.”

Vitaliy was later identified in a mass grave, recognized only by his tattoos. His dream, Vita recalls, was to marry his fiancée and have three children.

Now, she paints in his memory, finding comfort among women who share her pain.

A Shared Grief, An Unbreakable Spirit

For many women in Ukraine, painting is more than art—it is survival. It is a way to cope with a war that has taken their loved ones and reshaped their lives forever.

Here, in a small studio, they do not need to explain their pain. They all know it too well. Their art tells the stories of the men they lost, the futures stolen, and the sacrifices made in the fight for Ukraine’s survival.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is at risk of collapse after Israel blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza, following Hamas’ rejection of an Israeli proposal to extend the truce without committing to a full withdrawal of troops or a permanent end to the war.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement, calling the aid blockade “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime.” Meanwhile, international aid groups and the United Nations have condemned Israel’s decision, while Egypt, a key mediator, declared that it “unequivocally rejects the politicization of humanitarian aid.”

Hostage Negotiations Stall

According to Israeli authorities, 59 hostages remain in Gaza following the return of four bodies last week. Of these, 24 are believed to be alive. The delay in negotiating their release has added further tension to the truce discussions.

The United States has sent Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to the region in an effort to either extend Phase I of the agreement or move to Phase II, which was meant to see the release of all living hostages and a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Breakdown of the Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire, initially implemented in three phases, has faced multiple setbacks.

• Phase I (January 19 – March 2): Hamas was expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid. Ultimately, 38 hostages were freed over 39 days, while Israel released 1,737 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also withdrew to Gaza’s border regions, leaving urban centers and key corridors.
• Phase II (Scheduled for March 3): This phase was supposed to focus on negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of remaining hostages. However, talks have stalled, with both sides blaming each other.

On Friday, an Israeli delegation abruptly left Cairo, while a Hamas spokesperson claimed that no active negotiations were underway due to Israeli delays.

Israel’s Position

The Israeli government has proposed a 42-day extension of Phase I, allowing for the continued exchange of hostages and prisoners while keeping aid flowing into Gaza—but without committing to ending the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the idea came from US envoy Witkoff, though Washington has yet to confirm this claim.

Israel says Hamas rejected the proposal, prompting Netanyahu to order a halt on all aid deliveries to Gaza.

Israeli PMO statement:
“In light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the Witkoff framework, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be stopped.”

The statement also warned of further consequences if Hamas refuses to accept Israel’s terms.

Hamas’ Response

Hamas is insisting on proceeding with Phase II, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire. The group denounced Israel’s proposed extension of Phase I as an attempt to evade its commitments.

Hamas statement:
“This is a blatant attempt to avoid entering Phase II. The only way to secure the return of hostages is for Israel to uphold its commitments and begin negotiations immediately.”

Hamas has appealed to mediators such as Egypt and Qatar to put pressure on Israel to resume aid deliveries and adhere to the full terms of the agreement.

International Reactions

The United Nations, Egypt, and aid organizations have strongly criticized Israel’s move to block humanitarian aid.

• Egypt called on the international community to take action, saying Israel is using aid as a tool for political blackmail.
• Qatar stated that “food must not be used as a weapon” and condemned the suspension of aid.
• UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher warned that stopping aid deliveries violates international humanitarian law, urging that the ceasefire be maintained.

Meanwhile, White House officials have publicly backed Israel, with National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes saying that Israel has negotiated in good faith and blaming Hamas for derailing the process.

What’s Next?

With humanitarian aid suspended and hostage negotiations stalled, fears are growing that the ceasefire could collapse entirely. Far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government are pressuring for a return to full-scale war, and analysts suggest that the new Trump administration may be less inclined to push for a peaceful resolution.

In a press release, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on President Trump to negotiate a comprehensive deal to bring all captives home in a single phase, stating that time is running out for those still held in Gaza.

Additionally, an Israeli source told CNN that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, a condition that Hamas views as essential for Phase II to proceed.

As tensions escalate, Gaza’s population of over 2 million faces the risk of losing what little aid it had received. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that even during the truce, aid restrictions have severely limited humanitarian relief efforts, with food and medical supplies still in short supply.

Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes targeted northern and southern Gaza, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least four casualties. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they fired at individuals attempting to plant explosives, further raising concerns about whether the ceasefire will hold.

For now, the truce remains fragile, with diplomatic efforts ongoing—but without significant progress, the region could see a return to full-scale conflict in the coming days.