In spite of the great intimidation Mahmoud (17) was subjected to in order to prevent him from going to their own farm which was close to the border of Northern Gaza with Israel, he insisted on going there irrespective of all fears.

Mahmoud loved the place so much. There, he used to spend his most enjoyable time among the trees, birds and animals. Nature is fascinating in northern Gaza and in the border areas in particular. There, Mahmoud spent the first five days of the war with his father and uncle looking after the farm. The Israeli forces stationed there quite close to the “Ghoula” land, decided without warning, to blow up the house along with its dwellers. Mahmoud and his uncle, Faris were martyred and the missile wreaked havoc on the place.

Mahmoud’s mother says, “Although I was worrying about Mahmoud and his father, I had never expected such a crime. No rockets were launched against Israel from that place. The Israelis had not taken the trouble to issue a warning for the evacuation of the place. When I asked Mahmoud to stay with us here in Sheikh Radwan district, he said, ‘why shouldn’t I fall martyr?’” The mother proceeded to say, “He spent most of his time on the farm. He was dreaming of the day when he would become old enough to take over the full responsibility of looking after the farm alone according to his father’s promise as Mahmoud was fond of agriculture and trading. We all promised him to take over the farm after he would obtain his secondary school completion certificate but he was killed before that.”

His mother asserts that he was eager to be martyred as much as he was eager to look after the land. She says, “He always pledged to be martyred and used to say, ‘I swear by God, I’d offer you my martyrdom’ and I was also keen on his fulfilling his desire. Even if he had planned to go to university he would be able to do that.”

Mahmoud took after his father’s nature and traits. His grandmother says, “Whenever he came in or went out, he used to greet me and call me ‘Hajji”. Some times he looked through the window to kid me. He was truly loved by all and he was also tolerant.”

On the farm, Mahmoud developed his future plans, he wished he grew up, got married in that house far away from the housing areas, and raised a lovely family within that fascinating nature. He had wonderful traits. In his acts and moves he was really virile. His mother says, “Since he was a second year prep student I had seen him as a man. He was on good terms with the grown ups as well as with the children. He was a friend to his uncles and brothers. Today everybody speaks highly of Mahmoud. I can do nothing but pray Allah almighty to accept him among the prophets, martyrs and steadfast believers.”