I want the world to know that Gaza is all about life. Just like any other place in the world.

I want the world to know that Gaza is not the devastated, dusty, moldy place too often shown on the news.

I want the world to know that Palestinians are neither victims nor heroes.

Just like any other people, we wake up every day to go to school or work.

We laugh when we hear a funny joke and cry when we have a toothache.

I also want the world to know that there’s really nothing that can stop us from falling in love.

I want the world to know that some teens in Gaza skip out on their fifth class at school so that they can see the girls they love and hand them naively written love letters.

We love the smell of the sea and the colors of the sky, especially at sunset.

I want the world to know that Palestine has writers, artists, thinkers, and most importantly, lovers.

I want the world to know that we’re humans, just like you.

Watch the video. Read the original essay that inspired the video.