Gazans overjoyed as pullout nears
Palestinians can’t wait to hang flags over evacuated Israeli settlements, local resident tells Ynet. Seeing children’s high spirits is most important thing, he says
Muhammad Ghadas, 37, who resides near Dugit, said that for dozens of years Israeli communities were “a thorn in our throat, embittered our life, and turned it into a nightmare.”
Palestinians celebrating Israel's upcoming pullout (Photo: Reuters)
“We seek to first of all hang the Palestinian flag…in order to show the world – this is ours, it belongs to the Palestinians, and it has been returned to us,” he said. “We want to wave the Palestinian flag with pride…”
Ghadas, who works for the Palestinian Authority, said the Palestinians are overjoyed over the upcoming Israeli withdrawal. The most important thing for him, he said, is the happiness exhibited by little children.
“I have three kids and in recent years their lives were like everyone else’s life – hell,” he said. “The children suffered from anxiety attacks as a result of the shooting and army operations, and now you should see their joy, their high spirits. It’s worth a lot. I haven’t since my kids in such mood in a long time.”
‘Happy to see settlers packing’
Ghadas said the Israeli evacuation is an event that cannot be described in words.
“It’s something big for us and for all the Palestinians, and we hope the withdrawal from the Strip will continue…in the West Bank too, so our brothers there get to feel what we feel here,” he said. “There’s great happiness in the face of the occupation ending and us embarking on a new path.”
Ataf Farashga, 30, said the Palestinians are particularly happy to see Israeli settlers packing.
“Today, for the first time in our life there’s hope. Hope for something new, something better,” he said. “We, the youngsters, expect the (Palestinian) Authority to set up projects in those settlements, so finally there will be employment, after a life characterized by joblessness and a lack of hope.”
Farashga said that after years of fear, concern and instability, “there is a chance for something new.”
“Until now our lives have been characterized by waiting for the next Shahid – each second we were expecting to lose a dear person due to Israeli gunfire and bombardments; but today, thank God, were are waiting on new hope, a hope that would replace the fear,” he said.
“We hope the real peace we have been awaiting for years begins today. We want to live in peace with the Israelis.”
A new path
Farashga said the Palestinians are not rejoicing in the settlers’ plight, but added, “We have never liked them, and we never will. They should have left our homes, and we are glad they are leaving our lands, but we are not reveling in their troubles.”
“I would have preferred the settlers leave out of self-conviction and a desire to live in peace. Either way, their evacuation symbolizes our embarking on a new path,” he said.
Meanwhile the Palestinian marches and parades celebrating Israel’s withdrawal continue throughout Gaza, and locals are congratulating PA security forces taking their positions near the settlements.
