Yahya’s Testimonial
*This testimonial is a part of a project with the nonprofit Spaces for Souls, highlighting the experiences of Black communities in Gaza during the genocide in Palestine.
Yahya
Interviewer and Translator: Muhammad Ismail
“I am Yahya Muhammad Abu Muailaq, 60 years old, living at the Maghazi camp (central Gaza strip). I am a husband, and a father of 8: 4 sons & 4 daughters”
“On November 4, 2023, around 10:30 pm, the Israeli air force raided our residential area. 16 houses were destroyed altogether and within a few seconds, my house was one of the destroyed houses.
My house was totally destroyed. Three of my children were killed in this catastrophe, I lost two sons; Abdullah and Hamid, and one daughter; Mena.
“Additionally to our three martyrs, me and one of my daughters, Fatima, were severely injured. We were retrieved one day after the attack, from a depth of 6 meters under the rubble.”
“I was then taken to the hospital and was shocked by the news of the murder of my three children in addition to dozens of my neighbors. We are totally innocent and peaceful, my family and neighbors.”
Interviewer: Have you gone back to see your neighborhood?
Yahya: Yes, I went there after my recovery and regaining the ability to walk. I was shocked, it was a painful scene. I saw the ruins/rubble of 16 houses that were all mixed together. It was difficult to determine the dimensions of my house, because its rubble was blending with the rubble of neighboring homes.
Interviewer: Where are you living now?
Yahya: Nowadays, me and my remaining family members are living at my sister’s house in the Zawayda Village in the central Gaza strip.
My Three Roses
Abdullah
…was my big son. He was 23 years old, he was so polite and a kind man. He was beloved by everyone. He got engaged to a girl just a few months before his murder. We were planning to marry him and throw him a good wedding party, but alas… he passed away.
Hamid
…was 20 years old. He was one of the most prominent basketball players in Palestine. He was preparing to travel to join a strong basketball team outside Palestine. He was ambitious, but alas… he passed away.
Mena
…was 17 years old. She was a very smart girl, always received 95% or more at her school courses. She was hoping and planning to study medicine, in order to remedy the poor people for free, but alas… she passed away.
