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It has been some time since the Palestinians taking refuge in Abu Dhabi's Emirates Humanitarian City (EHC) from the raging Israel-Gaza conflict dared to hope.
However, news of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has allowed them to once more begin to dream of a better future.
The deal, which brings a pause to 15 months of fighting in Gaza from Sunday, January 19, would result in the release of hostages and the prospect of an end to a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, decimated the territory and threatened to erupt in a region wide conflict.
The mood among the refugees at EHC on Thursday, when The National paid a visit, was one of cautious optimism.
“I’ll tell you why we are hopeful,” said Kamel Shehada, a 69-year-old originally from Falluja, one of more than 2,000 Gazans who found refuge at the EHC following the outbreak of the conflict. “We’ve seen unimaginable things. Things that no human should ever endure. You wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy. We’ve witnessed children massacred, our families killed in front of our eyes, and our homes destroyed.
“After 15 months of torture, we will cling to any shred of hope. This ceasefire means an end to the killings and death. We feel like the world has finally taken a stance, with the UAE leading the way.”
Mr Shehada arrived in the UAE in November last year for urethral cancer treatment. Tragically, he has lost three of his children in the war.
“If a mountain went through what I have endured, it would crumble to dust from the pain,” he added. “But we Gazans are known for our perseverance and tenacity. We will go back. We will rebuild Gaza, and it will be greater than ever before. I swear to you, there is nothing like Gaza.
Safe haven
The EHC has served as a haven for many of those affected by the violence of the conflict. The centre is part of the UAE's continuing humanitarian operations in solidarity with the Palestinians. About medical 150 appointments are carried out each day within the vast complex, not including those admitted to hospitals in the capital for complex surgery.
A separate building at EHC features a pharmacy, clinics, a ward with hospital beds staffed by doctors, paediatricians, an internal medicine doctor, psychiatrists, dentists and a rehabilitation specialist. EHC has a medical team of more than 50 doctors, nurses, therapists and administrators. A school serving more than 400 children has also been established at the EHC to support Gazans living there.
Another EHC resident, Mohamed El Hawagri, 78, vowed to be the last person to leave and return home. He arrived in November for prostate cancer treatment. “This ceasefire means life for our people,” said the father-of-six. “It means more aid for those who are in desperate need of it.”
Father of four Ahmed Abojazar was rushed to the ICU when he first arrived in the UAE in November. He had shrapnel lodged in different parts of his body after an air strike hit his family home in Gaza.
Born in Al Ain, the accounting professor said: “We hope that this ceasefire is finalised, the war ends, and we can go back to Gaza as soon as possible so we can rebuild our homes that have been destroyed and so that life can return to normality.
“We are so grateful to the UAE and its leadership for their humanitarian support and aid provided to the Palestinian people and the people of Gaza from the very beginning. It is time for us to go back home and to start rebuilding Gaza.”
Emirates Humanitarian City - in pictures
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Wael Halhoul and Mohammad Abou Houli during class at the treatment complex at Emirates Humanitarian City. All Photos: Victor Besa / The National -
Physical therapist Ahmed Isleem and Amir Marzouk, 12, before their therapy session -
Mohamad El Madhoum, 19, before his physical therapy session -
Halla Jihad with her grandmother, Waffa Ridha -
The ZHO facility provides services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and auditory rehabilitation -
Amir Marzouk, 12, before his therapy session
