Despite living outside of Palestine due to my studies, I remain connected to my family and friends in Palestine. Whenever conflict erupts in the Gaza Strip, I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of helplessness. Anxiety, fear, and sorrow grip me as I fear that the situation in my homeland will continue to deteriorate, that harm will befall those I hold dear, and that injustice will prevail in the world.

During the most recent war in Gaza, May 2023, I was scrolling through the news  when I stumbled upon countless posts on Facebook mourning the loss of a friend’s friend – Yazan Elyan. In that moment, it felt as though a colossal stone had been hurled at my chest, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I no longer felt the world around me; all I wanted to do was scream.

Yazan Elyan, a 17-year-old boy, was a dreamer – ambitious, likeable, well-balanced, and tactful. He was a student in the Amideast Access 16 program. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the program offers 18 months of English language instruction and additional workshops that introduce participating youth to American culture, community service, and career enhancement resources.

Initially, Yazan was not particularly interested in participating in the program’s activities. However, with encouragement from his sister, he decided to get involved. Through this experience, he developed a profound sense of gratitude and decided to take part in the Access Alumni training to prepare for the TOEFL exam. Yazan’s ultimate goal was to secure a scholarship that would enable him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Europe, surpassing the opportunities available to him at the Al-Azhar Institute, which were limited to studying through the Egyptian Al-Azhar University.

Yazan was deeply attached to his sister, Hala, and he looked up to her as a role model. Hala had endured hardships and worked diligently to secure a scholarship for studying in Hungary. She, as with all Gazan people, faced challenges when seeking to exit Gaza. For example, she waited for months to be able to travel, and then traveled for two difficult days to get to the Cairo airport and fly to Hungary from there.

Inspired by his sister’s determination and quest for success, Yazan made the decision to pursue a career in engineering after completing his schooling. Throughout his high school years, Yazan would often sit in Hala’s room, which gave him strength and motivation from the support he felt there. Yazan aspired to strive, succeed, and excel by studying engineering in Hungary, where he would be closer to Hala, share the same country of study, and have more opportunities.

Yazan’s friends described him as an endearing individual. They said that if one hadn’t known Yazan personally, simply talking to him would give the impression of having been friends for years. Strangely enough, this is how I felt. Though I had never met Yazan or conversed with him, upon reading the news and reading the posts in social media of his untimely demise, I felt as though I had lost a close friend.

Yazan was killed on May 10, 2023, during the Israeli attack on Gaza, and his father underwent five surgeries due to serious wounds in his leg and abdomen. Hala was studying abroad at the time of the bombardment and recalls the moment she received the news of her brother’s death, saying, “I felt the world closing in on me, my heart consumed by an unrelenting fire.”

The Israeli occupation extinguished the life of an individual brimming with dreams and determination – a person with a unique narrative and who was a source of joy for friends, teachers, acquaintances, and, most importantly, his family. His teachers regarded him as an ideal student, someone with a lighthearted spirit, infectious laughter, and unwavering dedication. Yazan was never absent from class and always punctual: a brave soul who embraced his education wholeheartedly. Gaza lost an exceptional individual, dearly cherished, and remembered by all.

Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Yazan was the embodiment of this sentiment – a young man who dared to dream, whose impact transcended his physical presence. Although his life was cut short, his spirit continues to inspire and motivate others to create the change they yearn for.

The news of Yazan’s tragic passing serves as a painful reminder of the harsh realities we face on a daily basis. It is a stark illustration of the injustices and hardships endured under occupation. His untimely death represents the countless lives lost and dreams shattered in a conflict that seems to have no end in sight. In the face of such adversity, Yazan displayed remarkable strength and determination. He embraced opportunities for growth, stepping out of his comfort zone and engaging with others. His willingness to participate in the Access Alumni training and work towards his dream of studying abroad exemplifies his unwavering commitment to personal development and the pursuit of knowledge.

Yazan’s character left an indelible mark on those who knew him. His friends cherished his warm and genuine nature, feeling an instant connection that transcended the boundaries of time and familiarity. Even though I never had the chance to know Yazan before his death, the impact of his spirit reached beyond physical boundaries, touching the hearts of strangers like myself.

Yet, with the grief and sorrow, Yazan’s memory will continue to inspire. He embodied the resilience and hope that the Palestinian people carry in their hearts. The world may try to constrict us, suppress our dreams, and inflict pain upon us, but it is through individuals like Yazan that we find hope, resilience, and the courage to overcome adversity. Let his legacy serve as a reminder that we must strive to make a difference, no matter the circumstances, because it is through our actions that we can shape the world into a better place.

Yazan’s story should serve as a call to action, urging us all to be agents of change and to work towards a world where every individual has the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations without fear or hindrance. Let us remember Yazan as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.