Khan Younis, Gaza – Over the previous week, Najat al-Agha went from the happiest she’s ever been to wailing in heartbreak as she heard that her son, who was amongst 620 Palestinian prisoners meant to be launched on Saturday, wouldn’t be launched.
Diaa Al-Agha, who was arrested for killing an Israeli officer when he was 16, has been in jail for practically 33 years, the longest-serving prisoner from Gaza in Israeli jails.
Seventy-five-year-old Najat has waited for Diaa since he was taken on October 10, 1992. She has campaigned, participated in sit-ins, spoken at conferences, and have become probably the most well-known faces amongst prisoners’ households.
“Oh, my son, I waited for this second for 33 years, and it vanished earlier than my eyes,” she wept.
Destroying a fragile hope
Najat shouldn’t be the one individual crushed by Israel’s resolution to not launch 620 Palestinian prisoners, regardless of that being a part of a ceasefire deal between it and Hamas in Gaza.
On Saturday, Hamas handed over six captives taken from Israel in October 2023 and Israel was alleged to launch 620 individuals it had detained at completely different occasions.
However it determined to not, claiming the handover ceremony for the six captives had been “provocative” and so it might halt prisoner releases.
“After they advised us there could be no launch, I collapsed, screaming: ‘Why? Why?’
“Then I misplaced consciousness.”
That morning, Najat, her son Mohammed, his spouse and youngsters, and her daughter Ola along with her youngsters, bought on Salah al-Din Road to attempt to attain Khan Younis the place the discharge was anticipated. They’d been displaced for a lot of the conflict.
Salah al-Din is the one avenue Israel permits vehicles to make use of.
“I saved pleading with the motive force: ‘Please, son, hurry up,’” she says.
“He may solely reply: ‘It’s out of my arms, mom, take a look at the visitors.’”
It took greater than an hour to succeed in their devastated dwelling in Khan Younis, which Israel had shelled in November 2023 throughout its assault on Gaza. The journey is roughly 24km (15 miles).
Family members, neighbours, and associates had gathered on the home to rejoice Diaa’s impending launch.
“I used to be embracing individuals, barely believing I used to be lastly listening to these phrases after 33 years,” Najat says.
Among the moms of different prisoners urged her to put on the embroidered clothes she had ready for Diaa’s homecoming.
“All of them knew [about the dresses] however they have been misplaced when my dwelling was destroyed [by Israel],” she sighed.
Fragile hope rising
When Najat heard that Israel had lastly agreed to launch Diaa amongst Saturday’s batch, her “coronary heart practically burst with pleasure”, she recalled wearily.
“I had dreamt of at the present time for therefore lengthy,” she continues, tears streaming down her face. “For 33 years, I feared I might not dwell to see my son free.”
However she clings to her hope. “In only a few days, he might be in my arms,” she whispers, as if keen the dream into actuality.
Diaa al-Agha
Diaa’s identify has come up for inclusion in previous prisoner exchanges, with Israel refusing, citing his crime.
A member of the Fatah motion from the age of 13, Diaa started taking part in armed operations at age 16.
Now, he suffers from well being points that have an effect on his bones and digestive system, but has been denied correct medical therapy, in response to his mom.
Najat has waited and prayed for different males in her household who have been detained earlier than.
Her husband, Zakaria, was arrested in 1973 on prices of belonging to resistance teams and spent two years in Israeli custody. He died in 2005, after a stroke she says he had due to his sorrow over seeing Diaa in jail the day earlier than.
Her eldest son, Azzam, was detained in 1990 for belonging to a “designated terrorist army wing” and spent 4 years in jail, whereas Mohammed served 12 years, charged with intentionally capturing at Israeli troopers.
Every time, Najat waited, counting the times and visiting when she may.
She additionally saved visiting Diaa, regardless of being denied entry generally.
“However I contemplate myself fortunate as a result of the final time I noticed him was only a month earlier than the conflict on Gaza. He was in good well being and spirits,” she says.
‘Are we simply pawns?’
Standing there ready for Diaa’s launch, Najat went via worry, anticipation, and hope.
“I saved imagining how he could be introduced out – his arms and toes shackled on this bitter chilly,” she mentioned.
“I do know the Israeli jail guards benefit from humiliating prisoners of their closing moments earlier than launch,” she mentioned shakily. “That crammed me with dread.”
However she additionally imagined spending her first Ramadan in 33 years with him.
“I imagined myself getting ready his favorite meals – I wouldn’t let anybody else cook dinner. I wish to make up for all of the years we have been saved aside.”
The considered leaving with out him that night time didn’t cross her thoughts – till it did.
“I noticed individuals crying, whispering. My youngsters huddled collectively, and I heard: ‘No, not immediately.’
“I grabbed my daughter Ola: ‘Inform me what’s taking place. What does ‘no’ imply?’”
Her youngsters tried to calm her, assuring her it was only a delay. However the world round her blurred, as she put it.
“I didn’t wish to hear anybody. I didn’t wish to discuss. I simply screamed in protest till all the things went darkish.
“Are we simply pawns to them?” she cried. “Thirty-three years of ready – isn’t that sufficient?
“I’ll see my son free, hopefully very quickly,” she says, her voice resolute. “I’ve waited 33 years, I’ll wait slightly longer.”
