Gaza residents resist Israeli displacement amid hunger, siege, collapsed education

China

Gaza residents resist Israeli displacement amid hunger, siege, collapsed education

2025-08-20 14:19 Last Updated At：08-21 01:37

As the Israeli military advances with a controversial plan to seize control of Gaza City and displace its population southward, Palestinian residents are mounting a steadfast defense of their homeland, enduring a crippling siege, widespread hunger, and the complete collapse of educational systems. On Sunday, the Israeli military announced plans to push further into Gaza City and move residents southward, providing tents and supplies ahead of a planned operation to take control of the city. This action has received widespread condemnation from the international community.

In a street interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Khan Yunis, a local resident Hassan Qadih stated that, Gaza is their land, and they will hold on to it no matter what.

"As people of Gaza, we endure harsh conditions 24 hours a day. No matter how heavily Israel attacks the Gaza Strip, we will not leave Gaza. Gaza is our land. No matter what they do, we remain steadfast in our homeland, despite hunger, thirst and the extermination of entire families. Our future is lost; there is no future anymore. Even my children, I have 14 kids, the youngest missed two years of kindergarten. I have children (who are supposed to be) in university, in their final year of high school and in middle school. They've all missed out on years of schooling. But Allah willing, we will educate them after the war. We will not abandon them, and we will stay with them until they reach their aspirations," said Hassan.

Hisham Abu Shabayek, another resident, said that Gaza is their home and they will remain on their land with dignity despite siege, hunger, and deadly threats.

"We want to die here and be buried in our land. We do not want to leave, and no one will force us to evacuate. Enough, enough, enough. Enough of what is happening to us. People die of famine, even while trying to access aid. People die from bombings anywhere, even when targeting aid. A person, leaving their starving family, goes to get a bag of flour for their children, but they find themselves being shot or hit by shells. This is injustice. And Allah willing, our future here in Gaza will be the best possible, the best life, and we will be living with our dignity and honor here. And we will continue to live, despite hunger, the siege and all the suffering we endure, we will remain steadfast. These conspiracies by the U.S. and Israel will be exposed and disappear," said Hisham.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.