As US President Donald Trump was announcing his controversial plan to "clean out" Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the southern enclave began celebrating their return to their homes - or what little remains of them - in the northern Gaza Strip.
For many, Trump's words were not only dismissive but a stark reminder of the decades-long struggle Palestinians have endured to remain on their land.
Since a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas on 19 January, 64-year-old Nizar Noman has been waiting at the nearest point to the Israeli Netzarim military corridor, which cuts through central Gaza, eager to return to his home in Gaza City.
“As I belong to my homeland, my homeland belongs to me,” Noman said. “I didn’t want to waste a moment away from my home again.”
Noman and his family evacuated to the south in December 2024 after Israeli troops surrounded their neighbourhood. Despite the relentless violence and displacement campaigns during the 15-month Israeli offensive, which has devastated much of Gaza, Noman never lost hope of returning.
Palestinian returnees find no water, shelter or fuel
“I regret the day I left my house and went to the south,” he said. “I now prefer to die under the rubble of my home than leave it again, even for another city in Palestine.”
Trump's suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza and "just clean out that whole thing" has been meant with disbelief and defiance across the besieged enclave.
“President Trump is delusional to think that the people of Gaza can leave, even if it is a mess as he described,” Noman said.
“He now cares about the people in Gaza and thinks about our future? Where was he when we were being killed by Israeli missiles funded by American taxes?”
A well-known businessman in Gaza, Noman owned several shops in Gaza City, all of which were destroyed or burned during Israeli incursions. The homes of his two sons were also reduced to rubble by air strikes.
Yet, Noman has never considered leaving Gaza, even if other countries offered incentives.
“This is our homeland,” he said. “Neither I, my children, nor my grandchildren will ever leave it.”
Trump's suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza and "just clean out that whole thing" has been meant with disbelief and defiance across the besieged enclave.
“President Trump is delusional to think that the people of Gaza can leave, even if it is a mess as he described,” Noman said.
“He now cares about the people in Gaza and thinks about our future? Where was he when we were being killed by Israeli missiles funded by American taxes?”
A well-known businessman in Gaza, Noman owned several shops in Gaza City, all of which were destroyed or burned during Israeli incursions. The homes of his two sons were also reduced to rubble by air strikes.
Yet, Noman has never considered leaving Gaza, even if other countries offered incentives.
“This is our homeland,” he said. “Neither I, my children, nor my grandchildren will ever leave it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment