Growing up in the besieged strip of Gaza, I have witnessed firsthand the hardships faced by its residents. It often felt like the world turned a blind eye to our struggles, as if we were living in an open-air prison. As a photojournalist, I dedicated myself to capturing and sharing the stories of the resilient people of Gaza, both in times of peace and in times of violence. However, even as I try to shed light on the realities of life here, I am faced with accusatory messages demanding that I answer for the actions of Hamas.
Living in Gaza means relying on tunnels for essential supplies that Israel has banned. These tunnels, which have become a vital part of our infrastructure, were born out of Israel’s debilitating siege imposed on Gaza in 2007. With full control over border crossings, Israel has arbitrarily decided to prevent certain goods from entering the strip, subjecting its population to collective punishment. Tunnels became our lifeline, allowing us to smuggle in food, medicine, and other essential items that Israel would randomly ban.
While the tunnels provided some relief, there were still aspects of daily life that remained challenging. The siege deprived us of a proper supply of potable water, forcing us to ration it and sometimes resort to using seawater. Electricity was a luxury we could only access for a few hours a day on average. And freedom of movement was a privilege denied to most, even before Hamas came into existence. I recall a time when my family and I waited for three days at the Rafah border crossing, only to be met with Israeli soldiers opening fire as we attempted to leave for Egypt.
The word “hostages” takes on a different meaning for me. While demands are made for the release of Israeli hostages, we must also address the plight of Palestinian hostages. More than 2,000 Palestinians are currently held indefinitely in Israeli jails under “administrative detention,” without any charges. Shockingly, many of them are children as young as 12. Those who face charges are tried in military courts with conviction rates exceeding 95 percent, highlighting the lack of due process and access to fair trials. It is important to recognize that these children are being held captive by an occupying army, abruptly separated from their families.
As a photojournalist, I have made it my mission to shed light on the reality of life in Gaza, a reality that goes unnoticed by many. While I may no longer reside in Gaza, I believe it is my duty to share the truth about our struggles, which existed long before the events of October 7. The views expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of any organization.
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