It raised our spirits': Palestinian refugees in Syria on the ceasefire in Gaza
Briefly

Rbeia Abu Hmeida, a resident of Yarmouk, expressed a bittersweet relief, saying, 'Now we have something at least to make us happy, now you hear people laughing in the streets.' Despite deep poverty, residents of the camp celebrated the end of fighting in Gaza, feeling a strong connection to the struggles of their relatives there.
Abu Hmeida recalled the horrors endured in Yarmouk, stating, 'We used not to be able to cross this street; the regime snipers would shoot you.' This testimony highlights the extreme dangers and the haunting realities of their previous existence under siege.
The conditions in Yarmouk reflect the ongoing humanitarian crisis, as about 90% of Syrians live in poverty, with Yarmouk residents surviving under a ruthless siege. The community's struggles echo those faced by their relatives in Gaza, making their celebrations bittersweet.
The siege imposed by Assad's regime resulted in dire consequences for Yarmouk's residents, who faced extreme scarcity: 'Some people died of starvation,' emphasizing the brutal reality that mirrors the plight of those in Gaza.
Read at www.theguardian.com
[
|
]