Bedouin Man Rescues Family from Gaza

Tel Arad, located near an archaeological site of the same name, symbolizes the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly for a family that has traversed three territories: Egypt, Gaza, and Israel. Originally from Dahaniya, a settlement built by Israeli military authorities in the 1970s, the family faced stigma as residents of the "village of the traitors." This settlement was established to compensate for land appropriated for the Jewish settlement of Yamit, yet its inhabitants received less compensation than Jewish settlers when the Oslo Agreement was implemented in 1994. The transition to Tel Arad has been challenging for the family, who lament the lack of fertile land and basic amenities like electricity. Despite their historical ties to the land, Israeli authorities have not recognized Tel Arad or its neighboring settlements, pressuring residents to abandon their traditional lifestyles. This contrasts sharply with the treatment of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which often receive state support and infrastructure despite being deemed illegal. El Shtiwi, a 47-year-old resident of Tel Arad, is currently focused on reuniting with his second wife, Widad, and their three children, whom he had to prove paternity for through a DNA test. The urgency of their situation intensified following Hamas's recent attack on Israel, complicating efforts to navigate bureaucratic hurdles and escape the escalating violence in Gaza.