Khan Younus, Gaza Strip, Palestine – Tilt on a wooden stick, 72 -year -old Fati Abu al -Saeed Khan is roaming the streets of Yunus’ wreckage. This is a daily ritual since he returned to the coastal area of Al -Mawsi on January 19. Gaza Seas Fire Carefully stepping into the rubble by a 15 -month -old Israeli bombing, he lifts his stick, and pointing to a collapsed house.
“You see a pile of useless debris?” He says. “It’s more valuable than the United States and everything in it.”
Its audience – a group of children, including 50 children and grandchildren – heavy rain and strong winds forecasts it completely. Others join them – the children of the homeless families who have returned, do not maintain their homes, but to its ruins that were before. Despite going somewhere else, they rebuild their lives between the rubble.
Every morning, Abu al -Sa’id exchanges elastic words with neighbors. But that day, US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about Gaza – which is his imaginary concept of cleansing his Palestinian population to make “Raera in the Middle East” – offers fresh material for his humor and notoriety Does
Abu al -Sa’id joked, “Trump speaks like he is a king.” “He may move his Israeli friends out of Palestine and leave Gaza alone.”
Trump’s comments, which gave rise to mass condemnation, outlined a plan to reset the Palestinians in Gaza, while the United States would “take power” and “take” its “power”. – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – who is facing the arrest of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in Gaza.
‘An award -winning deception’
During the 15 months of the Israeli bombing, more than 60 % of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, including hospitals, universities and schools. Washington, under the previous US administration, was Israel’s largest supporter, which sent $ 17.9 billion in military aid during the first year of the war – which is the highest annual total.
“This is a crazy thing,” Abu Sa’id says. “And as we say Arabs: ‘If the speaker is crazy, let the listeners be sensible.’ This person knows nothing about homeland, struggle, notoriety, pride – or Palestine.
Terming Trump’s comments as ridiculous, Abu al -Saeed shook his head. “This is the best fantasy of dreaming by the leader of the world,” he says changing between disbelief and laughter. “Any sensible person who knows Palestinians thinks that leaving our homeland is like death. Did Trump really thought we would pack and go after all?
For Abu al -Saeed, the idea of mass migration is personal. When Israel was formed by the Zionist militia in 1948, his father was forced to go out of Jafa – now a part of Israel, and his mother’s family was expelled from the nearby village of Sarfand. He has grown on the stories of this first catastrophe – Nakba – and now lives in another.
“We already know what to lose everything,” he says pointing to the ruins. “But we also know what it means.”
The war displaced 90 % of Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Many people do not stand houses, but to clean the debris, clean the debris, save what they can do, or set tents on the ruins.
“Even under genocide, we did not leave,” says Abu Sa’id. “It’s not about going anywhere – this is our homeland. Every brick here is more capable of everything that America can offer.”
For a week, Trump has pressured Egypt and Jordan to absorb the Gaza population, which has developed its rehabilitation plan as a job creation plan. But even Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and its allies beyond, have rejected the idea.
“Trump must think that we are living in a hotel that he can stop,” Abu al -Sa’id said with a laugh. “But Gaza is not a real estate project – this is our land.”
He taps his stick against the debris. “This earth is found in our sweat and blood. No one can leave here – even if threats or promises do not matter. “
‘Is he crazy or just stupid?’
Sitting on a pile of debris, which is surrounded by enthusiastic children, Abu al -Sa’id turns to his 10 -year -old grandson, Mohammed, smiling.
“Trump says we should leave Gaza and go to Egypt or Jordan. What do you think?
The boy burst into laughter. “Is he crazy or just stupid? Why would we go? Gaza is part of Palestine!”
Other children are wandering, their voices rise: “Who leaves their house? We will stay for it, rebuild and fight.
Abu al -Saeed Chaks. “Your answer is, Trump. Even our children know better than you.
Throughout the war, more than 17,400 children have been killed in Israeli bombings, precision plans, and attacks on hospitals, and thousands of more orphans.
“What kind of logic is this?” Abu al -Saeed asked. “They put us in a sarcastic, bombing us, and then when we refuse to leave, do surprise?”
Feeling the Palestinians with their land, he added, “You know what will never happen again? We’re leaving.”
He believes that Trump does not understand Palestinians or their struggles. He says, “Israel was made on the lies of land without people.” But we are here, and we are living. “
His eyes are tight. “For Trump, like Netanyahu, is the only solution to the disappearance of Palestinians.”
Despite his age, straightening his back, Abu Sa’id says, “But we will not do so.”
This piece was published in collaboration Igab.
