One Palestinian family clings to homeland amid hardships

China

One Palestinian family clings to homeland amid hardships

2025-05-15 16:51 Last Updated At：05-16 00:27

Despite constant bombardment and years of displacement, one Palestinian family in Gaza returns to their homeland at every chance, clinging to it with unyielding resolve.

Thursday marked the 77th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba Day, or the day of "catastrophe."

The Nakba Day is observed annually on May 15 by Palestinians to remember the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes after the establishment of Israel in 1948.

For many, it's not just a historical event -- in Gaza today, that catastrophe is still unfolding. Families are still grieving loved ones and fleeing their homes, just as they did over seven decades ago.

Since the outbreak of the latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict in early October 2023, Tariq Al-Daks and his family have refused to leave their home in Jabalia in northern Gaza. But when an airstrike flattened their house, they were forced to flee. However, when the situation calmed down, they returned -- because, to them, even in ruins, this land is their only home.

"Starting over is incredibly difficult. When the house was bombed, we escaped with nothing. We now search the rubble for anything we can still use, but we have to be very careful -- we're afraid the roof could collapse on us," Al-Daks said.

According to Al-Daks, Jabalia today is nothing like it once was -- water systems have collapsed, electricity is cut off, and rubble clogs the streets. The basic conditions for life have all but disappeared.

"There are no passable roads in Jabalia -- vehicles can't get through because rubble and debris cover everything. But the people here have a strong will to survive. They're doing everything they can to clear the wreckage, restore the city to what it was, open paths, and sweep the streets -- just to make life on this land possible again," he said.

Al-Daks has been to many countries and holds a residence permit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which would allow him to leave Gaza if he chose. But he has stayed.

"I would rather die in Gaza than leave. This is my answer to those trying to expel me and my family. The most precious thing in this world is your homeland. If it's taken from you, so is your dignity, your peace of mind. Even though we're suffering here, this land is our first and deepest love," he said.

"Gaza is our beloved. They want to uproot us, to plant despair in Palestinian hearts. But people are answering by staying. Take a walk through the streets of Jabalia and you'll be shocked to see how people are rebuilding their lives from nothing. They are holding on with everything they have, and rebuilding the homes that were destroyed -- because for them, this land is irreplaceable," he continued.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, had so far killed 52,928 Palestinians, Gaza health authorities said on Wednesday.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.