Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Palestine – In Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, Wasayef Abed woke up on Wednesday to murmurs from her fellow displaced Palestinians.
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, and his declaration that America would “take over” Gaza, the topic of discussion. The US president even said that Palestinians should leave the enclave permanently in Trump’s comments made as he stood next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is to blame for the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Some of his officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggested on Wednesday that any departure would be temporary, although Trump’s language evoked both 19th-century colonialism and the spectre of ethnic cleansing.
The 36-year-old Wasayef’s reaction is one of indifference.
“I didn’t pay much attention,” she said as she made her way to check on her rain-soaked tent.
“I don’t even own a mobile phone or any means of following the news,” she added indifferently, her tired face betraying her exhaustion.
Regardless of what happens, my mother and I are certain that we will never leave Gaza. We are currently looking for a way to bring our ruined house back to the north. ”
Wasayef uses Trump’s statements to impose pressure on both Hamas and the Palestinian people in Gaza.
“I can tell you that people here will never accept forced displacement,” she said. They can endure internal displacement, but forcing them out of their country, as Trump suggests, will never work. ”
‘It will never happen’
Imad al-Qassas, a 60-year-old father of six, has been displaced from eastern Deir el-Balah to its centre, where he now lives in a tent after his home was destroyed.
His response to Trump’s statements was clear: “That’s impossible. ”
“No matter how much destruction, devastation and killing we’ve endured during this war, this will never happen,” he added.
What would we actually do? ” he asked. I would never leave, no matter how challenging my situation would be, even if the border crossings were opened and voluntary migration was offered. ”
Imad believes that no matter the temptations of resettlement – whether houses, compensation, or host countries – a person’s ultimate refuge is their homeland.
In the 1990s, I spent four years living in Sudan and six years in Libya. I was born in the United Arab Emirates. But in the end, I returned home,” he said firmly. “No matter what calamities befall us in Gaza, this is our homeland, and we hold it sacred. ”
“Life outside Gaza, even under normal circumstances, is not as easy for all people around the world. Residency permits, renewals, documents – there’s always a distinction between refugees and residents,” he explained. “Now imagine our situation: displaced, rejected and forced out of Gaza. Undoubtedly, we would suffer humiliation and be treated the worst possible. ”
“I would rather die where I stand. Even if they cut me and my children into pieces, I will not leave. ”
Imad questioned what Palestinians in Gaza the world wanted, and he gave tears to his face.
We are educated and culturally diverse people. We are entitled to live on our land and see it rebuilt. We have merchants, doctors, journalists, engineers – we have lives. Why are we being made to leave? ”
Like many displaced Palestinians, Imad sees Trump’s remarks as part of “a broader effort to pressure the population”, especially amid discussions on prisoner exchanges and reconstruction efforts.
If I have to, I’m willing to wait 100 years for the reconstruction. I will never leave, no matter what. ”
At the same time, Imad still blamed Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and neighbouring countries for failing to end the war at any cost.
It was all planned out in the beginning. This has been a long-term plot by the US and Israel. Because they are the ones paying the price, all parties should have stopped this plan from being implemented. ”
‘We no longer care’
Unlike Imad, Khaled Maqbel, 63, and his wife Iman, 52, showed no reaction when asked about Trump’s statements.
“God willing, he will be taken away,” 52-year-old Iman Maqbel muttered, turning her face away.
I have stopped caring about anything because two of my daughters and two of my grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike during the war, she said, wiping her tears out.
Iman fled from the as-Saftawi neighbourhood in northern Gaza to Deir el-Balah with her husband, 63-year-old Khaled, and their remaining children a year ago, enduring displacement five times since then.
“We have no energy left to process anything – Trump or his statements,” said Khaled. After the war, Gaza’s residents are still drained of grief, illness, and hardship. They are incapable of even considering what will happen next. ”
Trump’s relocation plan was vehemently opposed by the couple. “We already regret leaving the north, even though we were forced out at gunpoint. Do they actually believe that Trump will follow our orders now? ”
Iman recalled how, if given the chance, many displaced people living nearby would consider leaving Gaza. “But that was only out of sheer desperation,” she said.
“Despite everything, people in Gaza are still clinging to life on this land, even as the entire world fights against us for reasons we can’t understand,” she adds.
“Even if they offered me mansions, millions, and luxurious homes, I wouldn’t leave Gaza – nor would my sons. ”
When asked about the timing of Trump’s statements, Khaled erupted in anger.
“Timing? What timing? We are just about to start winning this war! ” he said. “People are still pulling their loved ones’ bodies from the rubble. They are still looking for any signs of life in their homes as they clear the clutter. ”
“This world has lost all sense of humanity. ”
The first chance I get will be my last.
In contrast, 23-year-old Mahmoud Abu Ouda, who runs a small coffee and tea stand in Deir el-Balah, says he wants to leave the Strip as soon as possible.
Trump will ultimately force us to leave Gaza, as did the war’s forced migration from the north to the south, according to Mahmoud.
“If they open the Rafah crossing [with Egypt], a huge number of people will leave immediately. I’ll be the first to go. ”
For Mahmoud, the unbearable pressures of life in Gaza after the war make staying unthinkable. “This is not a life. There is no life here. After the war, there’s nothing left to keep us in this country. ”
Mahmoud wants to leave Gaza, but he also sees no other way to escape.
“We are always forced,” he said. From the north to the south, we were forced to flee. We fought back against our will to win. We fought against our will to avoid bombings. We have never had a choice. ”
“If leaving is the solution to our problems, then let’s go,” he continued.
“If they prepare homes, jobs, and a real life for us, then let’s leave and put an end to the Gaza story. ”
Mahmoud claimed that the youth of Gaza, who have suffered a lot during the war, share his views.
“Our future has been destroyed. Six members of my family are under my care. I couldn’t finish my university degree. I spend my entire day earning a meager wage. Our house was bombed. We were displaced. ”
Is this the life of a 20-year-old young man or an 80-year-old man? ” he asked desperately.
“Gaza will never see peace. Gaza is dead,” he said, convinced that Trump is serious about his threats.
‘A psychological war’
A friend of Mahmoud’s, Amir Taleb, shared that after the war, life in Gaza had become intolerable, but he opposed forced displacement or the exchange of borders with promises of reconstruction and better living.
Trump’s incendiary rhetoric is forcing many of us who had previously considered leaving to change our minds, Amir said with a sharp smile.
“No rational, self-respecting person would accept this. We are not subject to Trump’s or anyone else’s willful manipulation. ”
Amir claimed to have moved to Belgium without ever intending to return from Gaza four years ago.
“I couldn’t stay there for more than a year, despite having friends and family there,” he admitted.
He relocated to Gaza and opened a small clothing store.
“Living in exile is difficult, and for us in Gaza, returning is never guaranteed. We are not permitted to travel as we please. That’s why many choose to stay despite everything,” Amir added.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply