In the midst of ongoing airstrikes and bombings, 15-year-old Youssef Saad, a talented oud player from Gaza, bravely navigates the devastated streets of Jabalia refugee camp on his bicycle, with his instrument securely strapped to his back. Saad, who once studied at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Gaza City before the war destroyed it, now dedicates his efforts to providing solace to children who have endured the horrors of nearly a year of conflict.
Saad’s performances aim to bring a glimmer of joy and distraction to young survivors. “The homes in my city were once full of dreams,” he reflects, surveying the rubble of what was once a bustling and densely populated urban area. “Now, they’re gone.”
Having relocated to live with relatives after his own home was destroyed, Saad, who comes from a family of five siblings, faces an uncertain future. His father, a government employee with the Palestinian Authority, had always supported Saad’s musical aspirations, but the ongoing violence has shifted his focus.
The current conflict began on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel’s military actions against Hamas-controlled Gaza have claimed over 40,800 Palestinian lives, displaced nearly the entire population, and devastated the region.
Despite the peril, Saad remains committed to his mission of helping traumatized children. He works at a day center in Jabalia, using his music to aid in improving their mental well-being, even if it puts his own safety at risk. “We try to help improve their mental health, even if it means putting myself at risk,” he says. “This is my duty to the children.”
Saad holds onto his dreams and believes in resilience amid adversity. “We, the children of Palestine, strive to stay resilient, even in the face of genocide,” he declares, drawing strength from a saying that guides him through the darkest times: “If you live, live free, or die standing like trees.”
