Deir el -Balah, Gaza Strip, Palestine – Wasayef Abed woke up on Wednesday to whisper among his Palestinian colleagues moved to Deir El-Balah in the center of Gaza.
The discussion was centered on American President Donald Trump and his announcement that the United States “would take over” from Gaza. In Trump’s comments, he stood next to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – The man responsible for the decision to devastate Gaza in the War of Israel – the American president even said that the Palestinians should leave the enclave permanently.
Some of his officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggested on Wednesday that any departure would be temporary, although Trump’s language spoke of 19th century colonialism and the spectrum of ethnic cleaning.
Wasayef’s reaction, aged 36, is an indifference.
“I have not paid much attention,” she said, making her way to check her tent soaked in rain.
“I don’t even have a mobile phone or a means of following the news,” she added indifferently, her tired face betraying her exhaustion.
“What I know is that my mother and I will never leave Gaza, whatever happens. All we expect now is a way to go back to our house destroyed in the North. »»
Wasayef considers Trump’s statements as a form of pressure – both on the Palestinian people and armed groups in Gaza, including Hamas.
“I can tell you that people here will never accept forced trip,” she said. They can undergo internal trips, but forcing them to get out of their country, as Trump suggests, will never work. »»
‘It will never happen’
Imad al-Qassas, a father of six 60-year-olds, was moved from the East Deir El-Balah to his center, where he now lives in a tent after destroying her from his house.
His response to Trump’s statements was clear: “It’s impossible.”
“Regardless of the destruction, devastation and murder that we have endured during this war, it will never happen,” he added.
“Where would we even go?” He asked. “Even if the border passages were open and the voluntary migration was offered, I will never leave, whatever the difficulty of my situation.”
Imad believes that regardless of resettlement temptations – whether houses, compensation or host countries – a person’s ultimate refuge is their homeland.
“I lived in Sudan for four years and in Libya for six years in the 1990s. I was born in the United Arab Emirates. But in the end, I went home, “he said firmly. “No matter what calamities come to us in Gaza is our homeland, and we keep it sacred.”
“Life outside of Gaza, even in normal circumstances, is not as easy for everyone around the world. Residence permit, renewals, documents-there is always a distinction between refugees and residents, “he explained. “Imagine our situation now: moved, rejected and forced to leave Gaza. We would undoubtedly be humiliated and treated in the worst possible way. »»
“I prefer to die where I stand. Even if they cut me and my children in pieces, I will not leave.
Tears flowed on Imad’s face as he wondered what the world wanted from the Palestinians to Gaza.
“We are educated and cultivated people. We have the right to live on our land and to see it rebuilt. We have traders, doctors, journalists, engineers – we have a life. Why are we obliged to leave?
Like many displaced Palestinians, Imad sees Trump’s remarks as part of a “broader effort to put pressure on the population”, in particular in the midst of discussions on prisoners’ exchanges and reconstruction efforts.
“I am ready to wait 100 years for reconstruction if I owe it. I will never leave, whatever happens.
At the same time, Imad has always accused Hamas, the Palestinian authority and neighboring countries of not having ended the war at all costs.
“All of this was planned a long time ago. The United States and Israel have been plotting this for years. All parties should have closed this plan from the start because it is the people who pay the price. »»
‘We don’t care’
Unlike Imad, Khaled Maqbel, 63, and his wife Iman, 52, have shown no reaction when Trump’s statements were asked.
“God wants it, he will be removed,” marted Iman Maqbel, 52, diverting his face.
“Since two of my daughters and two of my grandchildren were killed during an Israeli air strike during the war, I stopped worrying about anything,” she added, tear in the eyes.
Iman fled from the district of Asfrawi in the north of Gaza to Deir El-Balah with her husband, Khaled, 63, and their children remaining a year ago, enduring the trip five times since then.
“There is no more energy left to treat anything – Trump or his statements,” Khaled said. “The inhabitants of Gaza drown sorrow, illness and difficulties after the war. They don’t even have the ability to think about what comes afterwards. »»
The couple firmly rejected Trump’s travel plan. “We are already regretting leaving the north, even if we have been forced to go out under the threat of a weapon. Do they really think we will obey Trump now?
Iman recalled how, during the war, many people displaced around her spoke of leaving Gaza if the opportunity. “But it was only out of pure despair,” she said.
“Despite everything, the people of Gaza always hang on to life on this earth, even if the whole world is fighting against us for reasons that we cannot understand,” she adds.
“Even if they offered me residences, millions and luxurious houses, I would not leave Gaza – any more than my sons.”
Questioned at the time of Trump’s statements, Khaled broke out anger.
“Timing? What timing? We barely wake up from this war!” He said. “People always shoot their relatives from the rubble. They always clean their debris houses, looking for any sign of life. »»
“This world has lost all sense of humanity.”
‘I will leave the first chance that I will have’
On the other hand, Mahmoud Abu Ouda, 23, who runs a small coffee and a tea stand in Deir El-Balah, says he wants to leave the band as soon as possible.
“In the end, Trump will force us to get out of Gaza, just as people were forced from north to south during the war,” said Mahmoud.
“If they open the crossing of Rafah (with Egypt), a large number of people will leave immediately. I will be the first to leave.
For Mahmoud, the unbearable pressures of life in Gaza after the war remain unthinkable. “It is not a life. There is no life here. After the war, there is nothing left to keep us in this country. »»
Although Mahmoud wants to leave Gaza, he rejects the idea of being forced to go out – but he does not see any alternative either.
“We are still forced,” he said. “We were forced to flee from north to south. We endured war against our will. We endured the bombing against our will. We have never had a choice.
“If I go is the solution to our problems, then let’s go,” he continued.
“If they prepare houses, jobs and a real life for us, then let’s go and end the history of Gaza.”
Mahmoud told Tel Aviv Tribune that his opinions represent an important part of the youth of Gaza who suffered enormously during the war.
“Our future has been destroyed. I am responsible for six family members. I couldn’t finish my university degree. I work for a meager salary all day. Our house was bombed. We were moved.
“Is it the life of a young man in their twenties or an old man in the 90s?” he asked desperately.
“Gaza will never see peace. Gaza is dead, “he said, convinced Trump is serious about his threats.
“ A psychological war ” ‘
Amir Taleb, a friend of Mahmoud, agreed that life in Gaza has become unbearable after the war, but opposed the forced trip or to the idea of exchanging the right to stay in Gaza for promises of reconstruction and A better life.
“Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric pushes many of us who have once considered going to change your mind – just to challenge our plans,” said Amir, 24, with a lively smile.
“No rational and respectful person would accept this. We are not subject to Trump or anyone to be manipulated as they wish. »»
Amir told Tel Aviv Tribune that he had left Gaza four years ago, immigrant in Belgium without intention to return.
“I couldn’t stay there for more than a year, despite friends and family there,” he admitted.
He returned to Gaza and opened a small clothing store.
“Living in exile is difficult and for us in Gaza, the return is never guaranteed. We do not have the privilege of coming and coming as we want. This is why many choose to stay despite everything, ”added Amir.
“Arab and Islamic countries must take a stand against Trump’s plans,” said Amir. “It is a psychological and moral war against us in all directions.”
