What is Gaza?
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

1 Mile Away From Gaza

Some people don't know what/where Gaza is.

120
gaza
Maria Marrugo

Seeing the Gaza border from 1 mile away was unreal.

But what was more unreal, where the responses from my friends on Instagram.

I was conflicted for a while, about how to write this article, because I want everyone to understand that it's okay if they don't know what "is Gaza" or its significance and hope to motivate people to read more about this conflict, and the world around us.

I realized that we all have opinions about what is going on in Israel, yet little of us actually know what is happening. We seem to have a lot of opinions about something we don't really know about.

The Gaza Strip is a section in West Israel, bordering Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is occupied by Hamas government. The border has been closed, so no one can enter or exit. This makes the living conditions almost unbearable. There is no electricity, and it is a matter of time before they run out of food.

While the West Bank is an area east of Jerusalem that is under Palestinian government, which holds a secondary status, meaning they are subject to Israel military. They are divided into three zones, A, B, and C. With one checkpoint, screening everyone leaving Palestine. Leaving the checkpoint can take up to an hour, or more.

Both Gaza and the West Bank are territories within Israel. They are conflicting areas for different reasons. Homemade bombs from Gaza land in Kibbutz (small democratic socialist community) on Israel land. While the West Bank has a wall that not only keeps people in and out but deteriorates the economic growth of Palestine.

In my recent trip to Israel, I came as part of a student leadership delegation. What does that mean? It means that 25 students and I spent 9 days in Israel, learning about the conflict in Israel. We did this by listening to the narratives of people that live there, from diverse backgrounds. We listen to the stories from Benny Begin (the son of the former Prime Minister of Israel), social workers from a hospital helping Syrian refugees to locals and (Arab and Jewish) university students.

Kibbutz visit;

During our visit, we were only a mile from the Gaza border. In the distance, we could see the smoke from the fire.

It was one of the weirdest feelings because this place was so alive. There were birds chirping everywhere, and kids giggling in the playground. How can a place this happy be so close to so much war?

Our tour guide Chen Abrams lives there and explained that when rockets fly bye, there is an alarm that goes off throughout the community signaling 10 seconds to run for shelter. Kind of like in the Purge movies. These alarms have triggered PTSD in children as much as adults. While our guide was narrating their story, I couldn't fathom how people could live here. Why would they want to stay? Why would they stay in a place that causes their children to grow up with PTSD? Aren't they supposed to protect their kids? I understand that it's their land, but to what extent is staying in your land worth it?

Below is a picture of Chen Abrams showing the homemade bombs that land in her community. Most of the times there is a balloon attached to it, which caters towards children. Kids sometimes mistake the bombs for balloons. She also showed us bombs made out of condoms, which are dropped by drones. Since Gaza barely has money for food, it's very suspicious how they are able to afford drones.

I have attached a couple of links to help you form your own thoughts about the conflict:
http://time.com/5276048/gaza-conflict-history/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/20436092
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-ea...
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59049
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38131
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959619
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

196434
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments