Testimony

Israel, Gaza, four months of war

Each has its own deaths, each has its own pain. A bloody conflict that sends Palestinians and Israelis back to back. Since October 7, dialogue seems impossible. The pain of the other does not exist. On the Palestinian side, we systematically question the massacre perpetrated by Hamas. On the Israeli side, society is convinced that its army is moral and exemplary, and does not kill Gazan civilians. 

In front of a destroyed building in the Maghazi Palestinian refugee camp, which was severely damaged by Israeli bombings, in the central Gaza Strip, February 1, 2024. © Anas Baba / AFP

By: Sami Boukhelifa Follow

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From our correspondent in Jerusalem, and

Rami Al Meghari

, correspondent in Gaza

The sobbing man's name is Hadj Mohamed. With his family, 12 people, they live here with their feet in the mud, in a makeshift tent. Driven from their homes by Israeli strikes. He cries from despair, from fatigue. He cries, because his pain is immense. But despite the hunger, the cold, the humanitarian tragedy, Hadj Mohamed made a choice: to remain lucid. Never give in to hatred. “

 What happened on October 7 is serious. As a human being, I cannot accept it. Certain people, certain groups entered Israel and committed serious things. I speak in my name and in the name of my people: the mistake that was made is unacceptable. We must fight against acts of this kind. Against injustice and against terrorism

 .” 

Also read [Live] Gaza: Israel studies Hamas’ “positive” response to a truce and continues its strikes in Rafah

A rare and courageous word in the Palestinian enclave, where Hamas is still in power. But for this Gazan, the story did not begin on October 7. “

 You have to remember the context to understand. Not to justify the massacre of innocent Israelis,”

explains Hadj Mohamed

.

Since 1948 and the birth of the State of Israel, Palestinians have been largely driven from their lands. Since 1967, they have lived under occupation. They suffer repression and dehumanization. “ 

Decades of injustice have led to the irreparable

 ,” continues the old man.    

“ 

We have suffered since 1948 and to this day, in the name of the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian people want their independence. We want a state, with Jerusalem as its capital. This is our dream. No one wants to live in suffering, endure repeated wars and aerial bombardments. The reality is that Israeli officials want to exterminate us, to kill our cause.

 »   

Until last September, this Gazan worked in Israel. And he still says he is in favor of coexistence. But he fears that October 7 and the 120 days of war that followed have forever buried the hope of peace. “ 

I worked with the Israelis. We were like a family. We are all human beings. We called each other on the phone. But that's all over. Between them and us, there is now blood money

 .” 

Nearly 1,200 dead in Israel. More than 27,000 dead in Gaza. “

 I fear that no one will have the courage to turn the page this time

 ,” the old man concluded.

Also readIn the news: the truce in Gaza, hope or disillusionment?

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