Running Away Once Wasn't Enough: Now in Her 90s, She's Running Again

Souad Al-Alem, now in her 90s and residing in Gaza, is no stranger to being displaced. In 1948, she was among approximately 10,000 individuals compelled to flee her hometown of al-Majdal due to the advancing Israeli troops during the Arab-Israeli war. These events unfolded in what is currently recognized as Ashkelon, a part of Israel. Unfortunately, history repeats itself as Al-Alem finds herself compelled to flee once more.

On October 7, Hamas initiated a deadly terrorist attack against Israel from Gaza, launching numerous rockets and causing chaos that resulted in the tragic deaths of 1,400 individuals, with over 220 innocent people being taken hostage. In response, the Israel Defence Forces have taken extensive action by conducting a massive bombardment campaign, targeting what they claim to be Hamas installations in Gaza. Shockingly, more than 6,850 Palestinians have lost their lives as a direct consequence of these relentless strikes, as per reports from Gaza's Hamas-controlled health authorities and the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

Al-Alem is just one of the countless civilians who have found themselves trapped in the crossfire of this ongoing conflict.

Al-Alem disclosed to CNN, "I witness death every day, both in the skies and on the ground—about 20 instances in total. The psychological impact of every explosion is profound. It feels as if the threat is imminent and directly above us when it is nearby or adjacent."

At a mere distance of 10 miles north from the Gaza border, al-Majdal has very little left. Once a bustling marketplace renowned for its textile production, al-Majdal was completely destroyed during the 1948/49 conflict.

All the houses in the area have been demolished and replaced with modern Israeli buildings, except for the old mosque which still stands. Closeby, an empty and overgrown field serves as a reminder of the vastness of the former town.

Around 700,000 Palestinians were either forced out or fled from their homes during the 1948/49 war, accounting for approximately 80 percent of the Arab population residing in what is now Israel. Similar to Al-Alem, over half of the current residents in Gaza are either refugees themselves or descendants of refugees.

The town of al-Majdal as it was in 1934.

Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The old mosque of al-Majdal is the only thing that remains from the once thriving Palestinian town.

Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Many of the individuals who were displaced in 1948 held the belief that they would be able to return to their homes within a short period of time. However, Israel has consistently refused to allow their return, resulting in enduring poverty for many of these individuals. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports that over 80% of the population in Gaza currently lives in poverty. This event is commonly referred to by Palestinians as the Nakba, which translates to "catastrophe" in Arabic.

Al-Alem, sitting in a makeshift refugee camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, experienced both the Nakba of 1948 and now the Nakba of 2023. She expressed that the current situation is even worse than the previous one. More than 10 days ago, she had to leave her home due to intense bombing and has since been deprived of proper meals and hygiene. Being a diabetic, she struggled without regular meals and access to her necessary medication. The lack of resources for personal hygiene is distressing as there are no means to clean their faces, hands, or even themselves. The absence of functioning toilets, now dirtied by excessive usage, has made her decide to avoid going altogether.

The collective memory of the former Arab villages and towns may have faded, but the Palestinians have managed to preserve it through a remarkable tradition. Through stories passed down by their forefathers, they keep these memories alive, as observed by Umar al-Ghubari, a Palestinian educator at Zochrot.

A Tel Aviv-based NGO, Zochrot, was founded by Israeli Jews who aimed to promote the acknowledgement, responsibility, and accountability for the

Palestinian villages that were emptied. Additionally, the organization advocates for the right of return of these communities.

Izbat Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on October 21

Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies

To raise awareness, al-Ghubari emphasized the importance of the initial step. Zochrot focuses on operating in Hebrew, distributing informative resources, coordinating guided tours, and gathering firsthand accounts.

Al-Ghubari acknowledges that Zochrot's efforts contradict the dominant Israeli narrative, which tends to downplay the expulsion of Palestinians during the war and instead emphasize the idea that Israel transformed the desert into a prosperous land once it was established.

In an unprecedented move earlier this year, Israel and its allies, including the United States and other Western nations, chose to boycott the inaugural United Nations event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, which coincided with the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding.

The Israeli government opposes Nakba commemorations, according to Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, who believes that such events only aim to demonize Israel and hinder any potential for reconciliation.

Al-Ghubari stated that one of Zochrot's objectives is to educate Israeli citizens about history, irrespective of how uncomfortable it may be.

However, he expressed the difficulty they faced as Zochrot attempted to install informational signs at the demolished village sites. Despite their efforts, the signs would often be swiftly removed by certain Israelis who were opposed to the presence of that information. Al-Ghubari admitted that they were unaware of who specifically was responsible for taking down the signs.

Of the six sites of former villages visited by CNN earlier this week, none had any information about Palestinian villages on display.

No choice but to leave

Most people currently residing in Gaza still consider themselves Palestinian refugees and view the towns and villages their ancestors were compelled to flee as their rightful homes, even if their families have resided in the area for many generations.

In 1967, Israel seized control of Gaza during the Six-Day War, along with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israel maintained control over Gaza for almost four decades before withdrawing their military and Israeli settlers in 2005. Following Hamas' ascension to power in the enclave two years later, Israel and Egypt, who retained complete control over the entry and exit points, including the sea, imposed a blockade that critics argue has effectively turned Gaza into the "world's largest open-air prison."

Taghrid Ebead, a mere 35 years old, shares a profound connection with al-Majdal.

"In 1948, we were forced to leave for Gaza," she revealed. Ebead spent her formative years pondering the reasons behind her ancestors' exodus from al-Majdal, questioning the circumstances that compelled them to abandon their cherished abode.

"I used to say that we will not do it again. We will not repeat it. Its impossible to do what our families and grandfathers did," she said.

Taghrid Ebead, left, and her family were forced to flee al-Majdal. She is now sheltering in southern Gaza after being ordered to evacuate from her home in the north.

Hassan Eslayeh/CNN

IDF leaflets, urging residents to evacuate, began descending from the sky while the Israeli air force intensified their operation. Faced with incessant airstrikes, she ultimately made the difficult decision to abandon her residence in Gaza City. The family of seven embarked on a journey by foot and eventually sought refuge in Khan Younis, approximately 20 miles south of Gaza City.

"We encountered numerous challenges, with heavy shelling occurring in various locations," she shared. "When we arrived at Khan Younis, we found nothing. On the initial day, I slept on dusty ground without any covers. It has been a week, and sadly, my son has fallen ill. Our only hope is to return. We have endured excessive hardships and are unable to endure any further."

Reflecting now, she realizes the reasons behind her ancestors' escape from their homes.

"Our decision to leave was driven by the fear for our children's safety, as well as the devastation and loss of life. For our children, this will not merely be a chapter in history, but a lived experience that they have witnessed," she stated.

Reporting contributed by CNN's Hassan Eslayeh, Abeer Salman, Celine Alkhaldi, and Nada Bashir.