In the midst of the heartbreaking devastation in Khan Younis, Palestinians like Abu Issam and Um Issam find themselves walking the Nakba once again. Forced to move time and time again, their story mirrors that of thousands of other Palestinians who have lost their homes and lands. What was once a thriving village for Abu Issam and his wife, Um Issam, is now a distant memory. Swafeer, their village, was obliterated in the 1948 Nakba, along with more than 500 other Palestinian towns and villages. In search of safety, the couple journeyed through several places, including al-Sdud, al-Majdal, and Beit Hanoun, eventually ending up in Khan Younis refugee camp.
Now in their late 80s and early 90s, Abu Issam and Um Issam face an uncertain future once again. Khan Younis, already densely populated, became a sanctuary for Palestinians fleeing the bombings in the north of Gaza. But the offensive soon followed them there. In late October, their block in the camp was bombed, resulting in the loss of many lives. Forced to flee, the family sought shelter in their son Omar’s new apartment in Hamad City. Omar, an engineer who had worked in the United Arab Emirates for 15 years, had carefully furnished the apartment to create a sense of home. However, their new city was hit by massive airstrikes on December 2, reducing Omar’s years of hard work to rubble.
Seeking shelter in Khan Younis city, Abu Issam’s granddaughter Aisha offered her own bedroom to her grandparents. But their respite was short-lived as Israel bombed the neighborhood the following night, rendering Aisha’s home uninhabitable. Forced to once again find safety, they joined other relatives in Rafah refugee camp. Abu Issam decided to return to Khan Younis camp near his nephew’s house, while Um Issam went into a diabetic coma during the journey, adding to the family’s challenges.
Tragedy struck once again on December 8 when Abu Issam’s nephew’s home was directly hit, resulting in the loss of his nephew’s son, daughter-in-law, and baby. Abu Issam performed the al-Janazah prayer for the deceased in the street since nearby mosques had also been leveled to the ground. After the burials, Abu Issam sought shelter at a UN school adjacent to Nasser hospital, hoping it would be close enough to a health facility in case Um Issam’s condition worsened.
Abu Issam and Um Issam’s story is not unique. Tens of thousands of Palestinians like them have experienced multiple displacements, facing starvation and appalling conditions with inadequate access to water, food, and sanitation. These continuous cycles of displacement and suffering have gone on for decades, with the international community, led by western governments, remaining complicit. Palestinians will never forget the injustices they have endured, and forgiveness seems out of reach.
The ongoing tragedy in Gaza serves as a painful reminder of the importance of studying history and addressing the root causes of conflict and displacement. As Abu Issam, Um Issam, and countless Palestinians continue to navigate the devastating consequences of the Nakba, it is imperative that the world pays attention, takes action, and advocates for justice and peace for all those impacted by these long-standing injustices.
