In a small house in northwestern Syria, 80-year-old Muhammad Haninun closely follows the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza through his mobile phone. As he watches videos of the bombardment and displacement of civilians, the events bring back vivid memories of his own experience 75 years ago during the Nakba, or "catastrophe", when he and his family were forcibly uprooted during the creation of Israel.

Haninun can't help but draw comparisons between what he witnessed during the Nakba and what is happening in Gaza today. He voices his frustration, stating that the people in Gaza are facing a similar tragedy without receiving any assistance, mirroring the challenges faced by his own community in the past.

Following the breach of the separation wall by the armed wing of Hamas on October 7, Western countries, led by the United States, swiftly condemned the action. This condemnation was followed by financial and military support for Israel, which has been continuously bombing Gaza for 35 days. The densely populated area has witnessed the loss of at least 10,812 Palestinian lives, including 4,412 children, in addition to more than 1,400 deaths in Israel.

Haninun's personal experience resonates with the historical context of the conflict. The British armed forces provided military support to the Zionist movement in the early 20th century, enabling the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as Israel was established.

Haninun recalls his own family's displacement, with their village being bombed by Israeli aircraft in 1948. They were forced to move multiple times before finding refuge in a camp in Aleppo, where they lived in dire conditions.

Despite the challenges faced by the Palestinian community in Idlib, they have been demonstrating their support for Gaza and Palestine. The Ain Jalut Scouts and the Syrian Private Scouts recently marched through downtown Idlib, joining other activities in the region that aim to raise awareness, fundraise, and show solidarity with Gaza.

Ayman Muhammad, a displaced Palestinian and leader of the Ain Jalut Scout group, stresses that the events unfolding in Gaza have only strengthened the Palestinian cause. Demonstrations demanding a ceasefire and freedom for Palestine have taken place in major cities worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of participants.

Muhammad highlights the unity between the Syrian revolution and the Palestinian cause for the Palestinians residing in northern Syria. Despite the ongoing war and the targeting of gatherings by government forces and Russian warplanes, Syrian activists have also participated in demonstrations, displaying their unwavering support for Palestine.

In the face of difficult economic and security conditions, the Palestinian community and their supporters in Idlib have managed to collect approximately $400,000 in donations for Gaza. Muhammad believes that victory will come for both the Syrian revolution and the Palestinian cause, as long as their demands for justice and freedom persist.

While Muhammad Haninun continues to hope for the day he can return to Palestine, he carries the belief that his children and grandchildren have a right to the land and that they are its true owners.