Life in Gaza: A Fighter's Perspective
In a poignant interview on the program 'Diary of a Fighter,' Muhammad Ismail Al-Najjar, a Palestinian refugee from Gaza, shares his heartfelt memories of growing up in the Al-Zeitoun neighborhood. Born in 1989, Al-Najjar reflects on his childhood spent by the sea, where he found solace and joy amidst the harsh realities of life under Israeli occupation. He recalls, "I used to see the sea and feel very comfortable. I used to wait for dawn to go out with my father, who was fishing, while I used to swim and chase small fish around the rocks."
Despite the oppressive conditions, Al-Najjar's family instilled a strong sense of religious commitment in him. He fondly remembers his mother teaching him the Holy Quran and his love for Islamic education. However, the economic hardships forced him to leave school in the tenth grade to work in agriculture, sacrificing his academic aspirations to support his family. "I was excelling in school, and most of my grades were excellent, but due to the difficult circumstances and harsh living conditions that the family was going through, I decided to leave school and go to work in agriculture," he explained.
Al-Najjar also highlights the daily struggles faced by Palestinians in Gaza, particularly the challenges of commuting to work due to Israeli checkpoints. He shares, “We used to go out in the morning at dawn and the journey to our farmland, which usually took a quarter of an hour, sometimes extended to two hours because of the checkpoints and inspections.” Despite these hardships, he cherishes his memories of playing on the sands of Gaza, stating, “By God, we were happy.”
His testimony serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and steadfastness of Palestinians, who continue to hold on to their memories and land, hoping for a brighter future.
