Voices from Gaza, Israel, East Jerusalem and the West Bank

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Gaza Is Hell

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From a Newsweek on line exclusive, featuring the thoughts provided by some of the many impacted by the recent developments occurring in Gaza, with statistics listing that one and a half million people reside there, with children under the age of 15 years being 45% of the area's inhabitants:

From Gaza:

Ghada Alkhord, 23, lives very close to the Israeli border, fled from the house with her family at the beginning of the Israeli incursion:

It feels like I'm repeating the bad experience of my grandfathers when they left their villages in 1948. My eyes were full of tears when I left my house behind for the Israeli and the Palestinian fighters. Now I want to return home even though we don't have enough food, water and electricity. I want to die there.

From Israel:

Ari Levy, 45, Tel Aviv, entrepreneur:

I've taken part in numerous demonstrations against Israel's badly formulated policies. Even if it doesn't help, I find it increasingly impossible to sit back and do nothing. We need to change people's minds on both sides, and until this happens there will be no lasting solution. I am ashamed to be an Israeli because so many people are being killed just to prove that Israel is strong. It wouldn't do any good, won't stop the Hamas missiles coming into Israel and won't win anyone more votes in the next elections. My own people have hatred in their eyes.

From East Jerusalem:

George Khoury, 40, security guard, East Jerusalem:

People everywhere are worried after seeing children and families blown up in Gaza. The Israelis are acting not just against Hamas but against Palestinians in general. Here in Jerusalem, life goes on despite everything. Israel wants us to shut down, to hide away but we'll keep moving, we'll keep going no matter what happens.

From The West Bank:

Mohammed Hani,   45,   vegetable seller, A-Ram, near Jerusalem:

Ever since the troubles began in Gaza, sales have plummeted. People are demoralized and frustrated by what's happening and also afraid it might spread to the West Bank. I have four children, and I'm terrified when I see what's happening in Gaza. Most of my customers are people on their way to work in Jerusalem, but now they've disappeared, afraid to go to work. Fear is in the air. Despite everything, I believe that peace can still be achieved, even with the enemy.

Click here to read this special Newsweek feature.

Also at NowPublic:

Eyewitness accounts provided by Sameh Habeeb.