Bournemouth-based volunteers are handing out 1,000 meals to people in the Gaza Strip who are returning to their shattered homes.
The efforts of Plant the Land have been crucial in providing food, financial assistance, legal counsel, and medical support.
The team has become a beacon of hope, helping the community navigate its darkest moments.
This week the second stage of the ceasefire began, which saw around one million Gazans return to their houses following 15 months of bombing that has reduced many homes to rubble.
The Plant the Land is led by Palestinian lawyer Anas Arafat, who lives in northern Gaza and coordinates the group’s efforts since links were formed through social media in 2016.
Mr Arafat is grateful for the contribution from the Bournemouth volunteers, which is part of a UK network.
A touching example of their work involves Shahad, a young child whose life was saved with the help of doctors in Australia. Mr. Arafat said: “We provided cash sponsorships for orphans and even restored homes that were destroyed.”
He added: “In Shahad’s case, we managed to transfer her to Australia for treatment. She was sick for a year, but, thanks to God, she recovered. Unfortunately, after the latest Israeli military attacks, her health worsened. We’re now working to send more children abroad for care.”
Despite facing significant dangers, Mr. Araft and his team continue their mission. His own home was demolished two weeks ago by bombing. He claimed his house was bombed because he refused to accept the threat that the Israeli military who told him to stop his aid work. Mr. Arafat said, “I didn’t care. We continued, despite limited resources and all the challenges.”
Palestinians continue to reject any form of displacement. Mr. Arafat responded strongly to Donald Trump’s proposal to move Palestinians to Egypt or Syri, he said, “People are returning home. We will not leave Gaza. This land is ours.”
The volunteers’ mission is clear: Gaza will be rebuilt by its people.
Mr. Arafat added, “When my house was destroyed, I told my daughter, ‘Do not be sad, do not cry.’ I said to her that it was only ashes and stones, and the people would rebuild Gaza. As long as the Palestinians stay in their land, Gaza will return more beautiful, and I am certain that freedom will come one day.”
Mr Arafat said the fight is not against Israelis or Jews but against occupation: “Our problem is with those who raid and steal our land and kill our people. ”
Despite the tremendous loss—over 50,000 victims in just one year—Mr. Arafat and his team remain committed to rebuilding a free Palestine, driven by compassion and community.
The conflict is taking another direction after the announcement of the ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas leadership, which agreed to a truce on the 15th of January. The agreement aims to bring a permanent end to the conflict and free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
While stage two of the ceasefire will see Israeli forces make a complete withdrawal, stage three will see the return of all remains of dead hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza. This rebuilding is expected to take years.
Mr Arafat said: “We hope that Israel will be honest in its agreements and that this truce will be long-term,” he says, referring to the ongoing ceasefire.
He added: “We also hope to hear good news in the coming days about the development of the stages of the agreement, which is now in the second stage.”
If you want to help Plant The Land, follow the link below: https://www.planttheland.org/
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