Khaled Al-Zard’s shoestore. Photo: Khaled Al-Zard

My dear friend Khaled Al-Zard used to spend most of his days at his shoe store in Souk Al-Sahaba in Gaza. He worked long hours carefully arranging the shelves that stretched along the walls, filled with shoes of all shapes and sizes, from shiny, black formal pairs to vibrant sneakers. Some were made of soft leather that softened with every step, and others of light fabric that breathed with every movement. He also sold simple slippers in earthy colors, some hand-knit, and others lined with soft fur to provide warmth in the winter. Between each shelf, the scent of natural leather and new rubber wafted the store’s signature fragrance.

These shoes were not just merchandise; they were the key to Khaled’s livelihood. A simple man in his twenties, he struggled to provide for his daily needs and achieve his dreams. He was saving to build a new life with his fiancée and working hard to cover the costs of the small wedding party that would be held in mid-December 2024. He was also working to support his family — his mother, father, and younger brother. Despite his difficult circumstances, every pair he sold to customers came with a smile of hope.

One afternoon in December, just days before the party, Khaled heard a plane in the sky above while he was arranging merchandise in the store. He felt anxious, wondering if something bad might happen. After completing the long day of work and closing his doors, he decided to visit his fiancée’s house to brighten his mood.

On his way to her, Khaled stared at the sky and fear began to control him. Once he reached his fiancée’s home, he shared his anxious feelings with her. She reminded him that she was always with him, and they started discussing their wedding. As the night grew darker and conditions became more dangerous, he went home to sleep.

An hour after falling asleep, as if in a dream, Khaled heard screams from his brother, parents, neighbors, and friends. They told him that his store and the merchandise were all burning. An occupation plane had targeted his small shop.

Khaled rushed to his store. In moments, the fire had devoured everything. The shoes, the merchandise, the shelves, and even the walls of the store were all turning to ashes. Khaled tried to put out the fire with his hands, but he was helpless. He stood stunned, watching his dreams turn to smoke before his eyes. The fire wasn’t just consuming his shop — it was also devouring years of hard work and the dreams he had built his life on.

A blurred photo, as if through tears, of Khaled’s shoestore after it was destroyed. Photo: Khaled Al-Zard

Holding the remains of a Nike shoe melted beyond recognition, Khaled felt frozen. Thoughts ran through his mind as he counted his losses. Just a week earlier, he had spent the last of his savings restocking the shop. Now he wouldn’t even be able to hold his simple wedding. He had nothing left but his tears.

Khaled spent the night sitting on the sidewalk of the market, looking at what was left of his shop — just blackened walls and heavy silence. He felt defeated, ashamed, and heavy in his heart. How would he tell his fiancée that the wedding was now impossible? How would he face his accumulating debt? How would he support his family?

When he finally returned home at sunrise, he found his fiancée waiting for him. She didn’t say anything at first, just looking into his tear-filled eyes. Then she said in a firm voice, “Khaled, shoes can be bought again, but you are irreplaceable. I am here with you, and I will not leave you, no matter what happens.”

Her words were like light piercing the darkness. Although Khaled did not yet have a clear plan, he was not the type to give up easily. Thanks to his fiancée’s encouragement, he felt that he could thrive again. He began looking for any job that would help him earn a living, even if temporarily. He started selling packages of scented tissues and, although it wasn’t enough to cover all his debts, the work provided enough to hold a simple party befitting his fiancée.

Khaled’s sidewalk enterprise selling tissues. Photo: Khaled Al-Zard

Family, neighbors, and friends gathered for the wedding later in December to support Khaled and his bride. The community’s warmth and support filled the day with joy.

After the party, Khaled began rebuilding his shoe business step by step, with help provided by his wife, family, friends, and neighbors. Though he no longer had his store, he started selling shoes on the sidewalk in the local market. His story quickly spread through the neighborhood. People came to him despite their own suffering, not just to buy shoes, but to support and stand by him. Their words of encouragement and any simple assistance they offered bolstered his determination and resilience.

Today I share Khaled’s story with you as a reminder. As he often says these days: “Life does not stop at one loss. As long as there is hope, we can rebuild everything.”