Palestine: Gaza Settlement Tour · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Laila Um Yousuf of Raising Yousuf: a diary of a mother under occupation blog writes an interesting article after her first visits to what used to be Israeli settlements in Gaza. She says:
Palestinians wandered around in disbelief, trying to absorb the scene and the moment. For some, like 26-year old Omar Budran, who lost a leg to an Israeli helicopter gunship that fired at a group of Palestinians not far from the settlement in the crowded Nusseirat refugee camp two years ago, the day was particularly poignant.
“It’s an incredible day for me. I am overwhelmed with happiness, and I am optimistic what the future might bring,” he said.
But many Palestinians, while basking in the momentary elation, expressed concerns for the future. Dermatologist Muna al-Farra, who has finally been able to access land her family owns in the Abo Holi junction, said she was worried about the longer-term implications of Gaza being turned into like a large prison.