Life as a Resistance Fighter in Jenin: ‘Solely Dying Can Cease Us’ | Israel-Palestine Battle Information

Occupied Jenin, West Financial institution – A person sits on a cross-legged flower-covered couch, a shawl wrapped tightly round his face to guard his identification.

He’s a resistance fighter who lives in a Jenin refugee camp – a violent and lethal place A two-day attack by Israeli forces earlier this month – and he isn’t taking any probabilities.

His thick set of arms grip a big computerized weapon, its shiny metallic physique standing out in opposition to the darkish inside of the condominium. His hand is wrapped tightly across the rifle deal with and his set off finger is prolonged.

However behind the imposing body of a battle-hardened fighter is a person who as soon as dreamed of residing a traditional life, a life he solely noticed by way of a TV set.

The 29-year-old, who beforehand labored in native authorities, joined the armed resistance in opposition to the Israeli occupation of his Palestinian homeland three years in the past.

“We did not know something about life outdoors the Jenin camp,” the fighter, who didn’t wish to be named for safety causes, says of his life earlier than becoming a member of the resistance. “We have by no means seen a swimming pool or the ocean in our lives.

‘We Cannot Cease’

On July 2, Israel launched it Attack on the camp, in an try – it’s stated – to remove the “terrorists” who had taken over the world, residence to round 14,000 individuals. The army swarmed the world with explosives-laden drones and missiles fired from unmanned aerial autos as a whole bunch of troopers stormed the camp. The warrior discovered himself on the heart of the motion.

“We solely had mild weapons. is the [Israeli forces] The assault did an excellent job. They needed to cease us,” he says matter-of-factly.

He remembers the relentless assaults. One reminiscence sticks in his thoughts, a missile that he says killed a gaggle of 20-30 fighters and wounded 17.

12 Palestinians together with three youngsters have been killed within the assault on the camp.

He, nevertheless, proves that the plan to strike worry in Israel’s fighters and the broader group has not labored.

Talking in a pointy, nonchalant tone, the fighter largely shrugged off questions associated to armed resistance and confirmed little emotion.

“We won’t be deterred. Solely dying can cease us. They will kill us, wherein case we are going to turn into martyrs.

“We do not need individuals to die in useless.”

Between dying and destruction, warriors Describes the community They introduced one another nearer and strengthened their resolve to struggle in opposition to the occupation.

As he tells it, the individuals of Jenin opened their doorways to the soldiers. “They gave us meals. Even individuals who left their properties wrote messages on the fridge to eat what we needed.

And after the assault, fighters say that sense of unity led to a surge of individuals wanting to enroll to struggle. “Lots of people wish to be a part of teams, however we do not wish to increase. We do not need individuals to die in useless,” he says.

“We all know that God will give us victory”

In the course of the assault, many fighters have been pressured to retreat from the camp, a tactical retreat they stated they’d lengthy ready.

“God is on our aspect.” We’re believers, and we all know that God will give us victory,” the fighter says with confidence.

For him, talks are a waste of time, and he doesn’t consider {that a} political resolution will emerge that will finish the occupation of Palestinian land.

“We do not know the place we’re going.” We’re solely ready for dying,” he says with conviction in his voice.

However with that acknowledgment of the unknown, a confidence nonetheless shines by way of – despite the fact that Israel is militarily far stronger than Palestinian militants within the occupied West Financial institution.

If “God is in your aspect”, says the warrior, “nobody can defeat you.”