Voices of Gaza: Palestinian academic turns baker amid war for survival

Key Concepts

• Displacement & Resilience: The impact of war and displacement on personal and professional life, and the ability to persevere despite hardship.
• Community Service: Utilizing skills and resources to serve the wider community during times of crisis.
• Educational Pursuit Under Duress: Continuing academic work (doctoral studies & thesis completion) amidst challenging circumstances.
• Family Separation: The emotional toll of family separation due to conflict and the prioritization of medical needs.
• Adaptation & Determination: The necessity of adapting to difficult conditions and maintaining a strong will to succeed.

Educational Background & Return to Gaza

بدأت دراستي من طفولتي وانا نشيط ومجتهد (My studies began in my childhood, and I was active and diligent). The speaker recounts a history of academic success, culminating in a Master’s degree from the Arab Republic of Egypt and a Doctorate from Cairo University. Following the completion of his education, he felt a strong obligation to return to the Gaza Strip to serve his community and country. He states he offered his qualifications to various universities within Gaza.

The Impact of the War & Establishing a Community Bakery

The speaker describes the devastating impact of the war, specifically detailing displacement from his home and seeking refuge in a school with approximately 70-80 family members. The necessity of providing for this large group led to the accidental establishment of a bakery. Initially intended to bake bread for his own family, the bakery quickly became a vital service for others in the community. He emphasizes the challenging conditions under which the bakery operated, noting the use of substandard materials – السيرج والزيت والسولار والبلاستيك والقطع القماش (serge, oil, diesel, plastic, and fabric scraps) – and exposure to harmful smoke. This highlights the desperate measures taken to meet basic needs during the conflict.

Family Separation & Personal Sacrifice

The speaker poignantly describes the emotional hardship of his wife and children’s departure for medical treatment for his son. He states سفر زوجتي وسفر ابني وبنتي نفسيا مؤثره علي جدا جدا (My wife and children’s travel had a very, very strong psychological impact on me). Despite the emotional pain, he prioritized his son’s health, allowing them to leave while he remained in Gaza with his parents. He repeatedly expresses hope for their swift return, stating ان شاء رب العالمين الامل هذا قريب جدا (God willing, this hope is very close).

Continuing Academic Work Despite Adversity

Despite the ongoing war and personal difficulties, the speaker remained committed to completing his doctoral research. He articulates a powerful message of perseverance, stating انه انا رح ادرس واقدم رسالتي لكل الطلاب حتى لو في خيمه حتى لو بنيت (I will study and present my thesis to all students, even if it’s in a tent, even if it’s built). He recounts numerous opportunities to leave Gaza, even as a companion to his family during their initial evacuations, but chose to stay and continue his work. He describes building a workspace “حجر حجر ورصيت” (stone by stone and stacked) to facilitate his studies. He acknowledges the prolonged duration of the war – “وهي عدت السنتين” (and two years have passed) – but maintains a hopeful outlook.

Themes of Resilience & Determination

The narrative consistently emphasizes themes of resilience, determination, and adaptation. The speaker’s experience exemplifies the ability to find purpose and continue pursuing goals even in the face of immense hardship. He frames his experiences as lessons in العناد والصبر والعزيمه (stubbornness, patience, and determination). The concluding statement, “رح تيجي فرصه زي ما اجت في الاولى وما تاحت الحرب” (An opportunity will come like the one that came before, but the war prevented it), reinforces his unwavering belief in a brighter future.