Glimpses of the Early Life of a Palestinian Refugee: A Memoir

This memoir recounts the personal and collective experiences of my Palestinian family from Yasur, a village in the Gaza province, tracing their displacement and survival following the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948. Through vivid recollections, the narrative captures the peaceful life my parents once led as farmers before Zionist militias (later the Israeli Defense Forces, IDF) violently uprooted them from their homeland. Their forced exile marked the beginning of a life shaped by hardship, resilience, and an enduring longing for justice. As the fifth child in a family of six, I offer glimpses into my early years as the son of Palestinian refugees, relying on memory to preserve the voices and struggles of those who lived through one of history’s greatest injustices. This memoir is not merely a personal account; it is a testament to the broader Palestinian experience and a call for the restoration of rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Palestine.