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Great tragedy that should open the eyes of the world about the Gaza situation
Al-Shati Refugee Camp was a miserable place: 90,000 people crowded Palestinian living in the cramped quarters, less than a third of a mile square on the north coast of Gaza City. Narrow winding alleys full of trash, decorated with graffiti existence residents compete with clothes horse. Without sufficient water and electricity.



In the midst of that poverty, Ihab Abu Nader was born on July 9, 1994. He was the second of six children. Live load is crushing makes Ihab ambition to quickly finish school, get a job and save money to buy his dream bike.

He is a Real Madrid fan, and dreamed of joining the thousands of Palestinians who have escaped the stifling poverty in Gaza, working abroad, in one of the neighboring Arab countries.

A dream that it is hard to achieve in a place like Gaza. Even ended tragically last week, after calling to ask for forgiveness Mother, he poured himself with gasoline and burned himself in the middle of Gaza City street.

Witnesses who saw action was suddenly panic, they quickly tried to extinguish the fire with water, blankets, and immediately took him to Shifa Hospital that was across the street. However, the effort was too late. Ihab died Sunday, September 2, 2012, after a four-day coma, succumbed to burns that covered the third stage 85 percent of his body.

Although death is not uncommon for people whose day-to-day Gaza gripped Israel terror attacks, acts of self-immolation was very surprising. There is such a shock wave to shock hearts of the people of Gaza.

Gazans wondered whether self-Immolation Ihab action, the first time that happened there, would be the same as a similar act performed Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia in December 2010, which whipped up waves of revolution in the Middle East, overthrowing dictator row, "Arab Spring ".

Action Ihan duplicated. A week after his death, two Palestinians tried to burn themselves in anti-government protests. However, their efforts were thwarted pedestrians.

"This is a great tragedy that should open the eyes of the world about the situation in Gaza under the blockade," said Karl Schembri from Oxfam representative in Gaza.

Action was also received the attention of Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh. He joined the utter grief at dad Ihab, Sufian, and his mother, Raeda Abu Naher.

Haniyeh invited them to his house and promised a small plot of land, work for their eldest son, Mohammed, and money worth Rp18 million.

Criticizing Israel's blockade

Father Ihab admitted to not believe her son committed suicide. "I do not believe my son wanted to commit suicide. Guy who tried to save him, said he shouted at them, asking the fire was extinguished. I think it's a cry for help," said Sufian, who hoped the tragedy Ihab be a warning to the Palestinians.

Life in Gaza is not easy. For years they lived isolated in the midst of Israel's blockade, lack of food, medicine, no dwelling livable.

The UN report said, the Gaza Strip would be a "not habitable" by 2020, unless action to improve the basic services of the people there. Even water can no longer be used in 2016, four years.

Not only that, the United Nations also launched, the poverty rate reached 40 percent, of the 1.6 million population of Gaza. While 30 percent of the residents are unemployed.

Sufian blamed Israel's blockade of what happened to his son. "I condemn the Israeli occupation and blockade. I blame the split between the West Bank and Gaza."

"But I'm to young Palestinians: do not do what Ihab are doing. This was a mistake. Keep looking for work, keep learning. Education is the key to the future."

Sufian added that Gazans need social support, unemployment alleviation programs, and employment opportunities. Give hope to all the people there, especially the young