I was a young child, living in the Jabaliya area, in the north of Gaza, when I first saw an Israeli soldier up close. I’ve seen how people in other conflicts have worked toward coexistence, and I know that one day I will work to better Gaza, to rebuild our community and to move forward. It was on the eastern border of Gaza, about nine miles from Gaza City. Still, every other time there has been a war in Gaza, it hasn’t really come to this level of intensity. This is the first time in my life I really didn’t know where to go or if I would survive at all.

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Persons: Al Muharraqa Organizations: Israel Defense Forces Locations: Gaza, Israeli, I’m, Al, Gaza City