On the shores of Deir al-Balah, the walls have expanded to accommodate the largest mural painted in the displacement camps, narrating the details of genocide, displacement, and exile, while still holding on to the hope of return.
Visual artist Issam Mukhaimer, displaced from Gaza City and now living in a small tent near the beach of Deir al-Balah, was repeatedly inspired by the idea of painting on a wall opposite his tent to express the reality of the situation through a large painting. Mukhaimer brought his idea to life by depicting a displacement tent near the beach, with an image of a tired girl symbolising the state of Gaza at its centre. In the third section, he illustrated scenes of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment.
The Palestinian artist explained the message of his mural, stating, "I wanted to combine the details of the tent and the destruction that has befallen Gaza and its buildings, reflecting how Gaza is caught between tents and devastation, and how it has been worn down by exhaustion." He added, "This is a message of displacement: that Gaza, despite being in a state of displacement and destruction, has not lost hope. Although exhaustion has taken its toll on it, and what it is going through is difficult, it still lets down its hair for its children to alleviate their pain."
Mukhaimer directed his message to the world in front of his mural, which has garnered admiration from displaced individuals passing by. He said, "Despite everything that has happened to us, we have not lost hope, even in expressing what is happening within us. Even with the lack of resources, this mural was completed with what we could provide and with the help of my displaced neighbours who became my brushes."
Source : Safa News