Both sides of the border: A day near Gaza
“Welcome to Erez crossing,” is the message written in Arabic, Hebrew and English across the solid blue sign that stands at the outset of the Gaza–Israeli border. Despite the hospitable “Welcome” print, the Erez crossing border is quite the contrary.
Merchants that utilize this port of entry into Israel are confronted with what they say are scrupulous and over disciplinary rules and regulations as they attempt to make ends meet for their families.
“We cannot stay overnight in Israel. It is extremely risky,” says Gazan cigarette merchant, Abu Assil.
Since Hamas took complete control over Gaza in 2006, Israel has put the clamps on security regarding the border, and since merchants must be back by 6 p.m., the work day for traveling Gazan merchants may begin as early as 4 a.m. If a working Gazan resident is caught residing in Israel past curfew, one may be stripped of his or her workers permit. As tough as the rules are at the border for workers, conditions within Gaza are considerably worse.
“Conditions in Gaza have deteriorated since the war, five years go,” says Assil. “Agriculture has been destroyed after the bombs. I lost my son, Abalash, during the war.”
Assil showed the group his phone with his late son gracing the screensaver and background. Prior to the death of his son, he lost his infant daughter at birth. Despite the overwhelming calamity and rigid conditions Assil has encountered throughout the course of his life, he still manages to work daily and provide for what is left of his family.
“We all love peace. We don’t want war. We are all sons of Abraham,” says vegetable merchant, Mahmoud Abu-Issa. “Palestinian and Gazan people have the highest education, but because we are not granted permission to reside in Israel there is a 65% unemployment rate in Gaza.”
The population of Gaza stands at approximately two million people who have access to electricity anywhere from 8 to 12 hours per day, limiting essential everyday operations such as sewage treatment, laundry, access to water, kitchen appliances and lighting. The two million inhabitants of Gaza are governed by 2,000 militants serving under the corrupt regime of Hamas.
“Living conditions in Gaza are currently unbearable and by next year, Gaza will be uninhabitable,” Mkhaimar Abusada, political scientist at Al-Azhar University in Gaza.
“Israel must open its borders to Gaza for change to occur,” explains Abusada, in a skype interview with ieiMedia. “There aren’t enough jobs here. The unemployment rate ranges from 60 to 65%.”
Life is undoubtedly tough for the people of Gaza, however, Israelis, especially in Sderot are living in a perpetual state of fear.
Following the sound of sirens, citizens of Sderot, Israelis have 15 seconds to seek shelter in one of the plethora of bomb shelters scattered throughout the city. Positioned in the middle of town is a collection of Gazan missiles that have landed in the city. A great many of these projectile rockets were a direct result of the 700 that were fired from the Gaza strip over a two day period in late June.
“They can fire as many rockets as they want,” said student of Hesder Yeshiva, Noam, as he sat close to the massive menorah comprised of missiles. “We are prepared for these attacks and we will not leave.”
The 19-year-old is defiant, but sympathetic as well.
“I fear for the lives of the innocent in Gaza, but it is hard to avoid them at times,” Noam says. “Hamas plants their weapons near highly populated areas, putting their own people in danger.”
Prior to an attack, Israel will alert innocent civilians in an attempt to distance them from the weapon impact through sending SMS messages or dropping flyers.
A colorful assortment of ceramic stone-shaped pieces with messages of peace and tranquility inscribed on them are bonded to an outer wall near the Israeli-Gaza border in the city of Moshav Netiv Haasara.
These artistic pieces spell out the words, “Path to Peace,” which is the name of the initiative started by artist, Tsameret Zamir. Zamir lives the in Moshav Netiv Haasara and has transformed her home into a community for neighboring Israelis who strive for peace. There are currently thousands of assorted stones plastered to the wall representing the communities wish for peace between both sides.
Zamir hopes for the unity of both sides, though she still fears for her children’s lives.
