Journalist Abubaker Abed on Leaving Gaza: 'If I Stayed, I Would've Died'

The Agonizing Decision to Leave Gaza

• 💔 Abubaker Abed, a 22-year-old Palestinian journalist, describes his evacuation from Gaza as an "agonizing" and "heartbreaking" decision.
• ⚡ He felt forced to leave due to severe malnutrition and the ongoing starvation blockade, stating, "if I stayed I would die."
• 🎯 Abed emphasizes that he is no better than those remaining in Gaza and feels guilt for having access to basic necessities.

Trauma and Lingering Fear

• 🧠 Abed describes himself as a "physical survivor, but not an emotional survivor," haunted by images from Gaza.
• 💭 He experiences intrusive thoughts, imagining beautiful places in Ireland being bombed, reflecting the pervasive trauma.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His primary concern is for his family, friends, and colleagues still in Gaza, whom he thinks about constantly.

Threats and Loss of Colleagues

• ⚠️ Abed was threatened multiple times and felt he was becoming a target, similar to other journalists.
• 🕊️ He mourns the loss of renowned journalist Hassan, who he believes was deliberately assassinated by Israel, highlighting the high death toll of journalists in Gaza.
• 💥 The bombing of a hospital's burns ward and the systematic killing of families are cited as evidence of deliberate actions.

The Reality of Starvation and Genocide

• 💧 Abed contrasts his current access to clean water and medication in Ireland with the contaminated water and lack of basic supplies in Gaza.
• 🍽️ He notes that even leftovers are precious in Gaza, highlighting the stark difference in living conditions.
• 🌍 He calls for an end to the suffering, stating that Palestinians are humans with a right to live a normal life, and criticizes the passive international response to the ongoing events.

A Call for Action

• 📢 Abed urges governments and people to act, describing the situation as a "deliberate genocide" and "starvation by design" aimed at wiping out the Gazan population.
• 💔 He shares the personal tragedy of his aunt's entire family being killed in a bombing.
• 🕊️ He prays for a ceasefire but is determined to do what he can from abroad to raise awareness and demand action against what he calls Israel's "war crimes."