In the 1980s, I witnessed the rise of the Rashad al-Shawa Cultural Center in Gaza City, a testament to our cultural vibrancy. Named after one of Gaza's esteemed figures, it housed a theater, grand hall, public library, printing press, and cultural salon. Its allure drew visitors from across Gaza, including President Bill Clinton in 1998.
As a teenager, the center's construction ignited my passion for engineering, eventually leading to a career as a professor and mayor of Gaza City. Sadly, this cultural gem now lies in ruins, a casualty of Israeli bombardment during the invasion that claimed over 20,000 lives, decimating half the territory's structures.
The devastation extends beyond mere buildings; Gaza's cultural heritage is in shambles. The Gaza Zoo, once a symbol of biodiversity, now stands destroyed, its animals perishing. The Children's Happiness Center, municipal buildings, and the historic Great Omari Mosque have also succumbed to the relentless onslaught.
My tenure as mayor aimed to revitalize the seafront, fostering small businesses and job creation. It took four years to realize this dream, but mere weeks for Israeli forces to reduce it to rubble. Niveen's restaurant, set to open in November, and Mohammed's café, both lost to the chaos.
The destruction extends to the essentials – trees, electricity poles, cars, and water mains. Even a U.N. school fell victim. The obliteration of our way of life is beyond words. I remain in disbelief, grappling with the incomprehensible nature of such widespread and senseless devastation.
The municipality of Gaza, established in 1893, holds a rich history as one of the oldest in the Middle East, serving a population of about 800,000 Palestinians. Despite Israel's displacement of over a million Palestinians from northern Gaza during the ongoing conflict, the city persists. As the war unfolded, I returned to lead an emergency committee in repairing infrastructure and addressing the aftermath.
The toll has been severe — 14 municipal staff members lost their lives, including my eldest son, Roshdi, a photojournalist and filmmaker, who tragically fell victim to a direct hit on our home. The destruction in Gaza, exacerbated by a 16-year blockade and prolonged occupation, is a grave humanitarian crisis. Israel's promise to turn Gaza into a city of tents is becoming a grim reality as inhabitants are forcibly displaced.
I urge municipalities worldwide to press world leaders to halt this senseless destruction. Palestinians deserve equal treatment, peace, open borders, and self-determination. Gaza, like its emblem, the phoenix, insists on rising from the ashes and affirming life.
Yahya R. Sarraj
Mayor of Gaza City and former Rector of the University College of Applied Sciences
In conclusion, the ancient municipality of Gaza, with its resilient history, faces an unprecedented crisis. The ongoing conflict, compounded by a prolonged blockade and occupation, has brought immense suffering. As the Mayor of Gaza City and a grieving father, I implore municipalities worldwide to exert pressure on global leaders to cease the mindless destruction.
The loss of lives, homes, and infrastructure is devastating, and the promise to transform Gaza into a city of tents looms ominously. Palestinians, like all other people, deserve equality, peace, open borders, and the right to self-determination. The emblematic phoenix of Gaza symbolizes the unwavering spirit to rise from the ashes, insisting on life.
Let us unite in the call for justice and human rights, striving for a future where Palestinians can live in peace, free from the shackles of conflict and oppression.
Yahya R. Sarraj
Mayor of Gaza City and former Rector of the University College of Applied Sciences