After living in want of basic amenities and facing persecution, Mohammed, a native of Gaza, decided he'd had enough. But legal immigration that cost money was not an option, so it pushed Mohammed to pursue an illegal path that could have cost him his life.
When US President Donald Trump announced his “deal of the century” plan aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mohammed Al Taluli, a 28-year-old journalist from Gaza, was watching the news closely but for the first time in his life he was doing so not in his native Gaza.
Packing all his belongings in one bag, Mohammed left the enclave in September 2019 after realising that he could no longer face the Strip's harsh reality.
“I fled Gaza not only because of the difficult economic situation and the lack of employment there but also because of Hamas that represses everyone around them”.
The Islamic group seized control over the Strip in 2007 after cracking down on its rival Fatah, who had earlier governed the enclave, ousting them from key governmental offices.
Following the power grab, Israel, who considers Hamas a terrorist organisation, imposed a blockade on the enclave that led to a dire economic situation and high unemployment rates.
According to Gisha, an Israeli NGO that concentrates on Palestinian rights and their freedom of movement, 52 percent of Gazans were unemployed in 2018 and the situation only promises to get worse.
Venting Anger at the Authorities
Frustrated with Hamas' inability to handle…
