© 2025 FdR / NAEL GHABOUN
I receive a brief phone call from Gaza. On the other end is the broken voice of a man in tears. He is Nabil El-Khouli, the brother of Hussam — the Gaza firefighter whom the Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed back in 2009, offering him a prosthetic leg after he lost his limb in a rescue operation under the bombs. Nabil was with during the 44 days they spent in Switzerland.
I ask Nabil to record a short message in English. He prepares it together with his wife, whose voice can be heard in the background.
Listen to what he says.
(gianluca grossi)
© 2025 FdR
“Good morning, Mr. Gianluca. Good morning, free citizens of Switzerland. Good morning, free world.
My name is Nabil Shaker Said El-Khouli, I am 55 years old and I live in Gaza. Do you know what is happening here? Do you know what is happening to us, the people of Gaza, after nearly two years? I no longer have a home. I have no money left to buy food, clothes.
I am homeless, sick, hungry, and without hope. This is my story, in brief. If you wish, I can send you more information about what is happening around me — if I stay alive. Nabil, from Gaza. Please excuse my English, I beg your pardon. Nabil from Gaza”.