Ahmed Imad Abu Obayda went to buy vegetables for his family in Khan Younis, Gaza, in Feb. 2024. Then Israeli planes bombed the teenager’s area.

“People were screaming. Women came out of their tents without wearing their headscarves. People went out to the streets,” said Ahmed, through a translator. “It was a very difficult situation, and we waited for the ambulance to come.”

The bombing disabled Ahmed, who witnessed the killing of his friend.

“He was murdered in half,” said Ahmed.

After the attack, an injured Ahmed entered the hospital. He reported that his heart was beating three times per minute.

The teenager had both of his legs and three fingers of one hand amputated. He also lost the vision in his right eye. Ahmed said that for the first couple of months after the bombing, he was almost entirely immobile.

He recounted the situation at a virtual event hosted by Cypress College’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on Nov. 15, 2024. NOCCCD’s Southwest Asian North African Faculty & Staff Association (SWANA FSA), which includes employees from both Cypress and Fullerton colleges, also sponsored the Zoom meeting.

Eventually, Ahmed evacuated to Egypt and later to America for medical aid. With the support of the nonprofit organization HEAL Palestine, he received a prosthetic leg and a wheelchair.

He and his mom currently reside in Sacramento. His 10 siblings, father and other relatives, however, remain in Gaza.

Ahmed mentioned his concerns for his family, stating that the current conditions in Gaza are unlivable. Displaced families shelter in tattered tents with limited access to clean water. He revealed that his family does not have the clothing or heating to support them in the upcoming winter.

His story was one segment of the virtual storytelling session. The Zoom meeting allowed students from local community colleges to learn about Palestinian struggles and stories amidst the ongoing genocide.

“The impact of this event is transformative in a way that it strengthens community, fosters deep empathy and sheds light on the harsh realities obscured by mainstream narratives,” said SJP president Aseel Akile.

In addition, graphic design student Tasneem Aljareh highlighted Palestinian role models and their stories.
Aljareh celebrated Bisan Owda, a journalist and filmmaker in Gaza. Owda records her daily routine under Israeli occupation. Aljareh said she admires how Owda combats the erasure of her people by sharing their stories on social media.

Aljareh also told the story of Palestinian twins Mohammed and Muna El-Kurd and how their fight to defend their Jerusalem neighborhood from expulsion became a global movement. To Aljareh, their story is an example of courage and resilience.

“Talking about these people inspires me to take action and to speak up for my country and for Palestine,” said Aljareh. “We need to stay focused on educating ourselves and others instead of being distracted from the truth and led by stereotypes and anger.”

The event also featured a talk from Dr. Giovanni Hortua, an ethnic studies professor from Cypress College.

He emphasized that popular media dehumanizes different groups. According to Hortua, people today are noticing the misinformation and lack of balance in mainstream news.

“It is imperative, from this perspective, that we look outside the mainstream news sources,” said Hortua. “So that we can see the true power of what the Internet was meant to do, which was connect people and allow shared information.”

Many Palestinian journalists use the Internet, including social media, as a means of providing on-the-ground, unfiltered stories.

Hortua informed attendees of the journalist casualties in Palestine. He stated that 129 Palestinian journalists have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, as confirmed so far. To Hortua, this represents how colonial powers suppress information from the world.

Akile explained that Cypress College hosted the Zoom meeting to amplify the underrepresented voices of Palestine. Their goal was to have a welcoming and eye-opening experience for students.

“We hope that those who share their stories feel seen and empowered,” said Akile, “and that everyone who attends leaves inspired, ready to stand for justice and committed to uplifting voices that deserve to be heard.”