Firas Abu Samrah heard the Adhan of `Asr (the call for the Afternoon Prayer) coming from the nearby masjid. So, he went to offer the Salah therein, no matter the state of war that Gaza was living. When he finished the Salah and went out, he was surprised when he saw the Israeli warplanes targeting the coming out. Dozens of people fell as martyrs and injured, and hence Firas was one of those martyrs who fell in that raid against the unarmed civilians.

Everyone knew Firas loved him and that was not a compliment for him or just kind treatment for him, but because of his good manners and characteristics that enslaved the hearts of all who met him. He was religious, of good manners; he appreciated others, and helped the one who needed help without hesitation even if it was against his comfort. His mother said: He was so kind to his siblings, his aunts, and me and did not hate anyone and nobody hated him.

His mother remembered how he used to make her laugh when her eyes were filled of tears for her martyred son Khalid who was killed in the internal accidents that happened two years ago in Gaza. He took the responsibility to compensate his younger sisters for the kindness of his late brother who passed away as well as the care of the father who divorced his mother. He used to say: “I wish I could compensate the care of the father and the kindness of the brother.”

Susan, the elder sister of Firas, felt his love and care, so her heart was attached to him. She remembers that minutes before his martyrdom, he came to visit her. He drank a cup of tea and got out in a hurry to take care of the field and plants before sunset, but she did not see him again but after his martyrdom.

He was so shy. His uncle’s wife, Um Hazim, remembers when his mother sent him to meet one of the needs from our house, he used to speak to me from behind the door without seeing my face. When I insisted that he come in, his face would turn into red and apologize in a quiet voice and then leaves.

Firas always dreamt to finish his university study after high school successively. Therefore, he exerted himself hard since the beginning of the academic year. He always kept to his study and lessons to succeed, but the occupation warplanes had taken away his life before he could achieve success.