Voices from Gaza: Survivors speak out |
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The ceasefire holds for now, but many in Gaza fear it will be broken unless the Palestinian factions' demands are met. |
Gaza Strip - A month has passed since the Israeli offensive on Gaza began. Palestinians in the besieged territory are still tending their wounds after four weeks of war and destruction.
Israel said on Wednesday night that they are willing to extend the 72-hour ceasefire that took effect on Tuesday. However, this comes amid a general feeling among Gazans that the offensive could begin again tomorrow, since Hamas has announced that it has no intention of extending the current ceasefire so long as the Palestinian factions' conditions are not met.
Palestinians have demanded an end to the eight-year Israeli blockade of Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners, but Israel has resisted those demands.
Al Jazeera toured the north, central, and southern areas of the Gaza Strip to hear what people are saying about the offensive.
Jamal Salman, 56, farmer |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
A month later, we have survived to tell the story of how our family members were slaughtered by Israeli tank shells. Civilians are looking for a life that is free of this harm.
Abu Osama Nofal, 51, teacher |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
A month later, I stand on the ruins of these demolished homes and say, we won this war. What has Israel achieved? They killed children, women, and elders, but the resistance fighters remained untouched.
You kill one, we will bring 10. I stand now and say, Israel won the war over stones which it has destroyed, but the Palestinian resistance has beat all of Israel.
Abdullah El Hageen, 54, unemployed |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
It's a choice we have to make - either we die, or we live a dignified life.
Eid Sabaat, 60, engineer |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
As for this destruction, it's not necessarily us who will rebuild, but our sons will.
Israel has an agenda, but there is no justification for targeting a civilian population.
Umm Yousef Shabaat, 50, housewife |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
I have lived here for 14 years, and I know God will compensate us for such damage.
Yousef Rashwan, 28, baker |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
Thanks to God, Hamas achieved so much by its steadfastness. People were rushing here to buy bread during the war and we fear no war, like this one from the air, by cowards.
Ismail Radwan, 45, Palestinian Authority civil servant |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
Resistance won the war, but so did the resilience of the people of Gaza. Nowhere to go now, we have Israel ahead of us, and the beach behind us. We must face the challenges, because this is our land.
Mohammed Kullab, 56, construction worker |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
I am confident in the resistance.
Osama Ejelah, 9, student |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
Till the last day of the war, we remained in our apartment, but when the apartment next door sustained damages, we ran to seek shelter at my grandpa's place in Shujayea, and there it was bombed again.
We ended up going to relatives in the west. There is nowhere safe. Even al-Shifa hospital has been targeted.
Abu Alaa Al Mazari, 58, farmer |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
All Arabs don't like us Palestinians, because we are, after all, fighting the filthiest occupation, sticking to our land and maintaining Arab courage.
Umm Salam Abuelbayed, 35, homemaker |
[Emad Nassar/Al Jazeera] |
And I say to the resistance: Go ahead, we are behind you. I say this despite losing my home and some family members being injured. I say this despite my pain and deep wounds. If I were to describe this last month: It was a war of terror.
This war made me believe only in the resistance, and the resistance will bring an end to this occupation. It is the resistance which defends us and our souls - the world is watching us, but they are doing nothing for us.
we throwout Israeli this is our country
all Israeli product is band should be band
Israel is not doing good they will repent in few days GOD IS GREAT
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