Gaza did not just vote… it reclaimed its voice…

I will never forget the moments of joy we experienced, and I hope they are repeated again and again, and that together we restore the sense of normalcy within our Palestinian lives in all their details. It was a moment when, as Palestinian youth across West Bank and Gaza Strip, we embodied unity of ambition and unity of hope. Together, we engaged in field work with one shared goal, held remote meetings with one shared vision, and participated in unified training and capacity-building programs.

This is what one of the observers of RASED Palestine coalition, Marwa Othman from Deir al-Balah in Gaza, said about her experience… She added:

There are days in life that pass as if they are ordinary, and there are days when we write history with our own hands. Today, after twenty years of electoral silence, life has returned to ballot boxes in Gaza Strip. I was not just a passerby; I was a local observer, carrying responsibility of the vote and integrity of hope.

I cannot describe the shiver that ran through my body as I saw faces of elderly people reclaiming their right, and enthusiasm of young people exercising this right for the first time in their lives. The atmosphere was filled with a bittersweet feeling; sweet because we finally did it, and emotional because it reminded us of the value of having a voice that is heard.

With every ballot paper that fell into the box, I felt that it was not merely a political choice, but a message of love and belonging to this land, and a determination that we deserve a life built on partnership and freedom.

Real pride, however, was in that badge adorning my chest, the badge of RASED Palestine – Gaza.

Working with RASED was not just an official task; it was a true embodiment of sincere national work. I felt proud as I witnessed our professionalism, our precision, and our commitment to ensuring that this day passed in a manner worthy of Gaza and its people.

Thank you, RASED, for giving me a seat in front rows to witness a new dawn rising over my country. Thank you for allowing me to be part of a system that believes that transparency is foundation of building.

Election day has ended, but impact it left in my heart will not fade. One day, I will tell this story: that I was there, that I saw Gaza choosing its future, and that I was one of guardians of dream who stayed awake to ensure integrity of word.

Today, I am not just a graduate or a student… today I am proud daughter of Gaza who contributed to writing a new chapter of its history.