A life of striving for freedom

This is just one example, of what can happen being Palestinian in the world of occupation.

Ismail Abd El-Hadi El-Masalma

Name: Ismail Abd El-Hadi Abd Rabboh El-Masalma
Nickname: Abu Firas
Birth date: 1960
Hometown: Beit Awwa (Al-Khalil)
Imprisonment date: December 13th 1999
Sentence: 27 years
Charges: Membership in Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, weapons possession and training, sheltering “wanted” activists.

Background:
Ismail was born in 1960 in the town of Beit Awwa, close to the 1949 armistice line west of Al-Khalil. He finished his basic education in the town’s schools, and enrolled in Bethlehem University. However his numerous responsibilities, including his work in Beit Awwa prevented him from completing his studies in Bethlehem University and Al-Quds Open University, where he enrolled after Bethlehem. He was married in 1985, and has 4 sons and one daughter.

Ismail is a quiet person who is liked and respected by his acquaintances and relatives. The poor people in the village know him for his kindness and benevolence towards them. Furthermore, Ismail hates injustice and occupation, and is known for striving for freedom. And one of his most important traits is his eagerness to attain Allah’s acceptance, and his love of mosques.

Early Struggle:
Abu Firas participated in the struggle for freedom, and subsequently was detained, at an early age. He was arrested by occupation forces in 1979 on suspicion of participating in resisting occupation forces and manufacturing combat tools. And in 1989 he was detained on the charge of participating in the activities of the first Intifada.

In 1993, Abu Firas was arrested and charged with resisting occupation forces. The interrogation centered on his relationship with Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades “wanted” activists and sheltering them. After a harsh, torture-filled interrogation for more than a month, he was sentenced to 9 months. And in 1997, he was sentenced to two consecutive 6-month administrative detention periods, without charges.

Last Detention:
On December 13th, 1999 occupation forces surrounded Ismail’s house in the evening. And without warning, they started firing at the house from all sides, while the whole family including children was inside. The sustained shelling continued for 50 minute; then it became sporadic. After that, occupation forces ordered the family to come out of the house.

Martyr Eyad El-Battat and one of Ismail’s relatives were in the house. When they tried to come out of the house, as indicated by occupation forces, the soldiers fired at them. Both were killed, and Ismail was injured in his hand and eye.

Children under Fire:
The most difficult part of the shelling was the effect on the mother and children, the oldest of them 14 years old. Under constant shelling and not knowing if they will live or not, the mother tried to calm her children by talking to them about martyrdom and the reward for martyrs from Allah. The shelling resulted in temporary loss of hearing. And she looked at her children, waiting to see who will be the first to die. However, Allah’s protection preserved their lives.

After a few hours of constant and sporadic shelling, occupation forces ordered them to come out of the house. She took her children and got out. And when she tried to help her injured husband, the soldier prevented her. They forced her to take off her hijab and strip her children. She was subjected to humiliation and interrogation throughout the night.

Injured and Imprisoned:
Although injured, Abu Firas was taken by soldiers to a nearby room and subjected to a field interrogation throughout the night. He was not given medical treatment during interrogation. Then he was transferred to Soroka Hospital in Beir El-Saba’. From there, he was taken to the Maskoobe’ya interrogation center (Russian Compound) in Al-Quds. He was subjected to torture and interrogation for 90 days there. Then he was transferred to Nafha desert detention center.

After three years of procedures at an occupation military tribunal, Ismail was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the following charges: sheltering wanted activists, membership in Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, weapons possession, and weapon training.

Aftermath:
Since his imprisonment nearly 6 years ago, Ismail received two family visits only. Furthermore, Ismail’s oldest son, Firas, has been detained by occupation forces for over a year. But he has not been sentenced yet. And his second son, Sajed, was detained for 4 months despite that fact that he is not 16 years old yet.

The mother feels the great responsibility upon her shoulders. However, she is facing them with patience, courage and determination. She is eager for the reward from Allah for all her hardships. In addition, she participates in activities held to support Palestinian prisoners in order to keep their issue alive.