Mahmoud Shurrab’s goal had all the time been to unfold happiness. His social media pages had lengthy been common in Gaza – he was recognized for his witty posts, his comedic skits about each day life, and his performing, showing in native productions.
“I am keen on creativity, no matter it’s, and no matter will probably be,” was pinned to the highest of his Fb web page.
Israel’s warfare on Gaza put a lot of Mahmoud’s desires on maintain, however his movies continued. He smiled all through them, even cracking jokes – however the focus was now completely different: humanitarian assist.
Mahmoud grew to become a well-known sight in displacement camps, hauling crates of bottled water and cooking oil, distributing child method, and serving to arrange tents for households who had misplaced every little thing. He used his social media platforms to rally assist from donors overseas.
And he moved from space to space underneath bombardment, pushed by one conviction: “Folks want me, I can’t cease.”
On June 21, an Israeli air assault hit the tent the place Mahmoud was sheltering in al-Mawasi, a so-called Israeli “humanitarian zone” west of southern Gaza’s Khan Younis. Mahmoud was killed within the strike.
The 32-year-old left behind his spouse, Lama Shubeir, and their four-year-old daughter, Dalal. Early within the warfare, Mahmoud noticed a chance to ship them to security in Egypt, whereas he stayed behind to assist the folks of Gaza.
“He [sent us away] to guard his daughter’s life,” Lama advised Al Jazeera. “He was so afraid for her and needed her to stay like another baby on this planet, in security. He needed Dalal to develop up safely. However I by no means imagined we’d be aside for a 12 months and a half with out seeing him ever once more.”
Ardour for charity
Mahmoud was born and raised in Khan Younis, the place he misplaced his father, Khamis, on the age of 9. Khamis was recognized regionally for his charity work, which grew to become certainly one of Mahmoud’s passions together with comedy and performing.
All of it stemmed from his want “to make folks joyful”, mentioned Lama.
The couple had first met in 2010 on a leisure journey, earlier than marrying in 2019.
“Mahmoud liked bringing pleasure to folks,” Lama mentioned. “All he dreamed about was constructing a contented life with us. Folks liked him for his simplicity and his willingness to assist.”
It’s due to this fact maybe not stunning that Mahmoud selected to remain in Gaza when the warfare broke out, regardless of the dangers.
“Every time donors reached out to him … to assist a charitable trigger, he by no means hesitated,” Lama mentioned. “I used to be all the time frightened about him shifting round in the course of the bombing, however he would say: ‘Folks want me. I can’t cease.’”
His charity work meant he was greater than only a movie star in Khan Younis – he was a part of the neighborhood, sharing in its joys and sorrows.
“Mahmoud was type, tall, and had a ravishing smile,” mentioned Mousa Awad, a 27-year-old, additionally from Khan Younis. “Simply seeing him made us giggle. I noticed him in each displacement camp. Once we wanted consuming water, I referred to as him… he got here the subsequent morning.
“He appeared exhausted, however all the time talked about seeing his daughter quickly.”
Love for his household
Mahmoud longed for his daughter Dalal, whom he referred to as each morning and each night time if communication traces weren’t lower. He was joyful figuring out that she had began preschool and swimming classes – away from the horrors he was experiencing in Gaza.
Simply two hours earlier than his loss of life, he referred to as, talking for 50 minutes as he watched Dalal eat breakfast together with her mom. He needed to finish the decision to concentrate on a water distribution marketing campaign he was planning.
Lama struggles to simply accept that Mahmoud is gone.
“He was taken from his daughter and me,” she mentioned. “I spent half my life with him – by way of pleasure and hardship. He liked our daughter a lot. He dreamed of seeing her once more, of rebuilding Gaza, of beginning a brand new life.”
“I’ve no phrases for the world. I solely pray that this warfare ends.”
