Nowhere Safe in Gaza: The Tragic Story of Mohammad Jaber al-Absi and Layla Samour
Introduction:
The Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip has left countless families displaced and searching for safety. Mohammad Jaber al-Absi and Layla Samour are just two examples of the tragic stories that have emerged from this devastating conflict. Despite their efforts to find refuge, both families experienced the horrors of the Israeli attacks firsthand. Their experiences shed light on the near impossibility of finding anywhere safe in Gaza.
The Perils of Relocation:
Mohammad Jaber al-Absi and his family were forced to flee their home in the Jabalia refugee camp and seek refuge in the Al-Fakhoura school run by UNRWA. However, even this supposed safe zone came under attack, resulting in the death of 15 people, including two of al-Absi’s relatives. The family then moved to Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, which was designated as a safe zone by the Israeli military. But their hopes for safety were shattered when they became survivors of the “tent massacre” on May 26. The al-Absis lost 15 family members, including their father and five children, in the devastating attack.
Layla Samour and her family also faced a similar plight. Displaced from northern Gaza, they sought refuge in the Tal al-Sultan displacement camp. However, this camp was also targeted by Israeli airstrikes, leaving Samour and her children in grave danger. The tent camp was set ablaze, and Samour described the horrifying scenes of charred bodies and torn-apart children. Despite her efforts to protect her children, she was devastated that she could not bring them back inside her belly for safety.
The Illusion of Safety:
The stories of al-Absi and Samour highlight the cruel reality faced by Palestinians in Gaza. They were repeatedly told to relocate to areas that the Israelis claimed would be safe, only to be attacked once again. The “tent massacre” in Rafah, where around 1.4 million internal refugees were packed, demonstrated the complete disregard for civilian lives. The attack resulted in the death of at least 45 people, many of them children, and left hundreds wounded.
The Role of UNRWA:
Tamara Alrifai, a spokesperson for UNRWA, emphasized that there is nowhere safe in Gaza, not even UNRWA shelters that are clearly marked. Over 180 UNRWA buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the Israeli military assault, resulting in the death of over 450 Palestinians seeking shelter inside them. Alrifai pointed out that all civilian infrastructure, including UN infrastructure, is protected under international humanitarian law, but this has been disregarded during the conflict.
The Desperate Search for Safety:
Both al-Absi and Samour faced immense challenges in their search for safety. Samour, with her seven children, fled from northern Gaza to Tal al-Sultan displacement camp. However, when the camp came under attack, she was unable to leave due to the high cost of transportation. Eventually, she managed to secure enough money to move to Khan Younis, but even this city offered no safety as it had been left in ruins by Israeli troops.
Al-Absi and his family also faced similar challenges. They moved multiple times to escape the Israeli attacks but were unable to leave the area due to the exorbitant transportation costs. Their attempts to find safety only led them to witness the massacre of their family members.
Conclusion:
The stories of Mohammad Jaber al-Absi and Layla Samour highlight the tragic reality faced by Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli attacks have left them with nowhere safe to go, despite their efforts to relocate and seek refuge. The international community must take action to protect the lives of innocent civilians and ensure that such atrocities do not continue to occur.
