Ayish Younis, now 89 years old, recounts the traumatic experience of fleeing his village of Barbara during the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948. At the age of 12, he vividly remembers riding away on a camel with his grandmother, leaving behind a place known for its abundant agriculture. As fears for their safety increased, Younis and his family were among the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who lost their homes amid the conflict.
Younis’s journey took him seven miles south to what is now the Gaza Strip, then newly occupied by Egyptian forces, where he initially sought shelter in makeshift accommodations. Throughout his life, he experienced multiple displacements, most recently being forced to evacuate his home in Rafah amid ongoing military actions. He now resides in a small canvas tent in Al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, where he shares space with family and contends with basic survival challenges such as limited access to water and cooking facilities.
The recent escalation of conflict has left Younis questioning the future of Gaza. Despite a temporary ceasefire agreement, his optimism for lasting peace is tempered by a belief that ongoing tensions will persist. He reflects on the extensive destruction of infrastructure and the significant challenges that lie ahead for the next generation, whom he hopes will play a role in rebuilding their homeland.
Younis’s family history is notable, as he and his late wife Khadija raised 18 children, garnering attention for their expansive family. Many of their children have achieved higher education and pursued professions abroad, yet Younis expresses concern about whether there will be opportunities for his grandchildren in Gaza.
As reconstruction discussions begin, he contemplates whether the international community will step in to assist the heavily damaged territory and what that would mean for his family’s future and the future of Gaza itself.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87400e3j5eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss