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Speaker 0 and Speaker 1 discuss the life of a 16-year-old Palestinian from Gaza who was born in the United Arab Emirates and moved to Gaza in 2021 for financial reasons. The war broke out in 2023, and since then he has been stuck in Gaza despite repeated attempts to leave. He describes the impact of two years of conflict, the ceasefire, and the ongoing uncertainty.
Key facts and chronology
- Background: The narrator is Palestinian, born and raised in the UAE. In 2021 his family moved to Gaza for financial reasons; his father remains in the UAE, while his mother and siblings stay in Gaza. They planned to stay about two years, but the 2023 war trapped them.
- October 7 day: He was 14 at the time. He woke early for a history test, learned of the attacks, and expected a bad outcome. He wanted to leave Gaza from day one of the war and has tried repeatedly to exit, but has not succeeded after two years.
- Ceasefire and current status: The ceasefire brought some relief. The safe zone expanded, the area around his home became safer, and more trucks and goods are entering. He is back in his home, though the security and reconstruction process remains incomplete.
Living conditions in Gaza
- Daily life: He describes a world of limited resources, frequent power shortages, and reliance on solar panels for charging devices. Water access fluctuates; at one point the family ran out of water for about a month, later improving somewhat. They obtain water from wells and the sea, and use firewood for cooking due to lack of gas.
- Food and markets: Food in markets is scarce and expensive. He notes prices are high (cucumbers once costing up to four times their price in the UAE or the US). Eggs, chicken, meat, and fish are hard to find; basic proteins are scarce, with cheese and some dairy options as partial sources. He emphasizes the high price of essentials and the difficulty of obtaining a stable supply.
- Housing and sanitation: Many people live in tents or destroyed houses, with limited or nonfunctional sewage systems in some areas. When in tents, they lacked proper sewage; they dug holes for bathrooms and water management was challenging, especially during rain.
- Hospitals and medical care: Hospitals exist but face significant constraints, including limited anesthesia and delays in accessing care. In some cases, severe injuries require treatment abroad. Ambulance service exists but depends on fuel and urgency, and access to timely care is highly variable.
- Security and law: During peak fighting, security was unstable and theft occurred, with cars often having plates removed. Once the ceasefire began, Hamas resumed some policing and security roles to maintain order, and residents could report stolen items through local channels.
Economic situation and money
- Unemployment and income: The unemployment rate is effectively near 99-100%, with most people unable to work. The narrator’s own finances are aided by a combination of donations, a crypto wallet, and a fundraising page. He uses a fundraiser to receive crypto, which an intermediary exchanges for cash locally, taking a sizable percentage (up to 50-55% at the worst), though it has decreased to around 20% recently.
- Rent and housing costs: Rent for a two-bedroom apartment can be around $500/month, and in some cases more. The narrator had to pay around $5,000 for evacuation assistance for family members, but was put in a long queue; funds are being held until border openings allow exit.
Personal situation and future plans
- Family: His mother and siblings are in Gaza with him; his father is in Dubai. The family continues to rely on aid distributions and informal networks.
- Education and future: He hopes to return to school and finish high school, with plans for university—potentially in the United States or the UAE, studying marketing or business. He has built a substantial online following and brand identity as part of his life in Gaza.
- Humanitarian work and giving: He collaborates with Human Concern International to distribute aid, sponsor orphans, and provide daily food distributions. He also has a personal fundraiser and a crypto-based support channel for those who want to help.
Outlook
- He remains hopeful that the ceasefire will hold and that external access will improve, enabling reconstruction and possibly allowing him and others to leave Gaza for education and stability. He notes a sense of exhaustion but continues to post and engage with his audience, aiming to finish school and pursue studies abroad or in the UAE. He believes the war will end with resolution outside of Hamas’ control and expresses a determination to remain hopeful and continue his activities despite the hardships.