A native of the Palestinian enclave reflects on a lifetime shaped by decades marked by war, curfews, and displacement, while describing the impact of ongoing horrors in Gaza on his life in Istanbul.
Al Aqsa Mosque holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for Palestinians, serving as a focal point of their identity and connection to the land. / Photo: AA
In 1987, the first Intifada started, and the number of these trips reduced. What I recall during the years of the Intifada is the increase in the number of checkpoints and search points by Israeli soldiers. At that time, my father advised the children not to make noise and to play only in the secluded part of the town, away from the main road where Israeli military vehicles typically patrolled.
Now, after three decades, I still can't forget the M16's muzzle pointed just two inches from my eyes. It felt like more freedom, although Israeli control remained at the borders and checkpoints, primarily between towns and cities in Gaza rather than inside the urban centres. Illegal settlements still existed in many parts of the tiny enclave.
Before turning 18, I insisted to my parents that I wanted to visit the Al Aqsa Mosque one last time. After waiting a few weeks, we obtained permits and travelled through the Erez crossing again. However, this time, the crossing was vastly different from the ones I experienced in my childhood. Palestinians didn’t only lose Arafat but also other Palestinian figures who were killed by Israel – such as Abu Ali Mustafa, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of Hamas. Yassin, a disabled person, was shot at and killed by an Israeli Apache while he was on his way to the mosque early morning. I remember hearing about the air strike.
Even if we complained about such gunmen or other law-and-order incidents, the police didn’t respond. One of the reasons, I remember, was the police force always ran short on fuel for their vehicles. They were barely able to arrive on the crime spot and investigate such incidents. This experience, especially during the wars in Gaza in 2012 and 2014, along with other military escalations, has significantly shaped my life. It made me witness so much injustice against innocent civilians, especially children who didn’t do anything except be born on this spot on earth.
Mohamed sent some photos of my house and told me how the Israeli soldiers vandalised my home. They tore apart many personal documents and certificates. She has survived many wars since then, enduring numerous injustices imposed by the Israeli occupation since her early childhood. My brother managed to call the emergency services, but an ambulance couldn't reach her due to the intensification of Israeli attacks. She suffered from breathing difficulties for hours until the next day when an ambulance finally came to take her to the hospital. The doctors recommended a 24-hour observation period but informed her that she had to bring her mattress as there weren't enough beds available. Thankfully, she survived this illness, and her condition has improved somewhat.
In the heart of Gaza, my nephew was searching for food in the Nusairat market when he left minutes before an air strike hit, claiming many lives. He told me, “I feel death is so close.” Miraculously, he survived. The loss of innocent lives, whether in their tents or while seeking aid, saddens me deeply.What is special about the people of Gaza is their resilience and love for life. They continually seek alternatives, adapting to challenges.
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