A whole day passed without any fighters arriving with supplies.
Hunger began to gnaw at their stomachs, and thirst dried their throats.
All that remained in the tunnel were a few pieces of dry bread and a half-empty bottle of water.
Yusuf sat in front of the meagre food, his eyes frozen, trying to decide how to distribute it.
The situation was more difficult than if he had faced an armed enemy.He said in a stony voice:
"It will only last another day... if we divide it fairly."
Ori looked at him with contempt:
"You want to be our judge too? Give me my share now!"
Khalid approached, his voice low and hesitant:
"I... I can bear it. Give my share to the injured man."
Ori laughed despite the pain, his laughter tinged with sarcasm:
"Sure! The traitor wants to look like a hero now."
Naoum glared at him with narrowed eyes, then said coldly:
"At least he's thinking. You're wasting your energy shouting."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Yusuf stepped forward, divided the dry loaf into five small pieces, filled the bottle cap
with water, and distributed it among them one by one.
When he gave his share to Uri, he said sternly:
"I'm not doing this because I love you... but because my dignity prevents me from letting you die of thirst."
Ori took the piece and the water, his hand trembling, and said nothing.
Na'um, meanwhile, stared at her small piece in silent amazement, as if she had never imagined she would be forced to share a piece of bread with those she considered "enemies".
Daniel sat contemplating the scene.
For the first time, he saw neither Jews nor Arabs, traitors nor fighters.
He saw only human beings, crammed into a hole in the ground, brought together by dry bread and a little water, united by their helplessness in the face of hunger.
He muttered to himself:
"Perhaps hunger is the only justice left here..."