With all the headlines concerning the Israeli holcaust in Gaza, we forget that this is about Palestinians with hope, dreams, and lives they wish to fulfil
Shaimaa Eid is a journalist based in Gaza
Amid the rubble of destroyed homes and shattered dreams, the people of Gaza are left grappling with existential questions: Is there still hope? Can we survive? What comes next? Under Israel’s ongoing war of extermination, Palestinians are caught between two agonizing choices—resilience in the face of death, or displacement into the unknown.
Do Gazans Want to Leave?
Asking this question in Gaza today yields answers laden with pain and contradiction. “We don’t want to leave our land,” says Ahmed Faiz, a displaced resident from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. “We fled only temporarily, under shelling and gunfire, hoping to return once a ceasefire is reached”.
He continues, “When the ceasefire began, I returned to find my home reduced to rubble. I pitched a tent over its remains and stayed.” Like many others, Ahmed fears that leaving could become permanent—a repetition of the 1948 Nakba.
Can They Survive?
With relentless airstrikes, expanding destruction, and a collapsed infrastructure, survival itself is becoming an increasingly desperate struggle. “We live on humanitarian aid,” says Marwa Mohammed, a 29-year-old teacher. “I lost my only source of income when my private learning centre was destroyed. There’s no electricity, no water, and with the border crossings closed, even aid is no longer coming in. And yet, we choose to stay—because staying is a form of resistance”.
What Future Awaits Gaza?
For Gazans, the future is clouded with uncertainty. “We see no clear future as long as the occupation persists,” Marwa adds. Many agree that reconstruction alone is not enough—what’s needed is a comprehensive political solution that restores dignity and rights after a war that stripped them of everything.
What Political Solution Do They Seek?
While opinions vary, most of those interviewed converge on one fundamental demand: an end to the occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. “We don’t want a temporary solution—we seek lasting justice,” says attorney Imad Salem.
Do They Still Have Faith in the International Community? And What About the Arab World?
Here, the answers grow even more bitter. Many in Gaza believe the international community has failed in its duty to stop the violence. “The world watches as our children, women, elderly, and youth are slaughtered in silence,” says Kholoud Mehanna. Regarding Arab governments, the prevailing sentiment is one of betrayal—either through silence or normalization with Israel.
Yet, some still find solace in global grassroots solidarity. “If governments have forsaken us, we still believe in the free people of the world,” says Mona Abdel Bari. “We have hope in those who stand for justice and our right to live”.
What Keeps Hope Alive?
Amid devastation, a few things continue to nourish the spirit of Gaza: resilience, children’s laughter, and the solidarity of people worldwide. “When I see my little daughter laugh despite everything, I know we will prevail one day,” says Amjad Adwan.
What Are Their Personal Dreams?
Their aspirations range from the simple to the profound: a safe home, a school for their children, freedom, and justice. “I dream of living in my homeland without fear,” says teacher Marwa. “To teach my students in a classroom that won’t be destroyed by a missile”.
Gaza may be wounded, but it is far from lifeless. Its people—seasoned in the art of survival—continue to hold their heads high amid the ruins. Beneath the weight of reality, the Palestinian dream remains alive, waiting to be fulfilled.
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