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After 15 months of devastation, Palestinians are anxiously awaiting the chance to reunite with loved ones and return to what remains of their homes.

By Ahmed Ahmed and Ruwaida Kamal Amer, +972 Magazine

It is a pattern with which Gazans are painfully familiar: as reports of an imminent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas began swirling earlier this week, the Israeli military unleashed hell on the besieged Strip, killing at least 62 Palestinians in the past 24 hours.

Among the latest victims was 25-year-old activist and children’s entertainer Ahmed Al-Shawa, who was killed along with several of his colleagues in an airstrike on Gaza City’s Al-Daraj neighborhood. Al-Shawa was known among Palestinians in the Strip as “the smile ambassador” for his sense of humor, energy, kind-heartedness, and passion for his work: bringing joy to Gaza’s children despite the harsh conditions of the ongoing genocide.

Rajab Al-Rifi, a neighbor and colleague of Al-Shawa’s, is unable to come to terms with the loss of his friend. Just two days earlier, on Jan. 12, they had put on an entertainment show together for dozens of displaced children. They had discussed their hopes that a ceasefire would enable them to expand their work, and planned a series of additional activities to help children cope with their trauma, including mental health workshops.

palestinians celebrate the declaration of a ceasefire

Al-Rifi explained that Al-Shawa was loved by everyone around him due to his generosity. “He sometimes put on three or four shows in one day for hundreds of children,” Al-Rifi told +972. “Every Wednesday since the beginning of genocide, he would do a show by himself in Gaza City’s Municipal Park, where dozens of people have sought refuge. He aimed to put smiles on children’s faces despite their ongoing trauma.”

Tragically, Al-Shawa was killed as he was on his way to join colleagues for an event at a makeshift tent camp in central Gaza City. His death has left a deep sense of grief among the people of Gaza, especially those who knew him. “He was a source of strength and hope to his colleagues, friends, and children,” Al-Rifi said. “What did he do to deserve being killed like this?”

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Militarism and Foreign Policy