1.- Youssef Al Zuq was a 17-year-old Palestinian who lived on Al Thawara Street, in the Al Sabra neighborhood, near the Palestine Stadium in the center of Gaza City.
2.- In 2007, his mother Fatima Al Zuq, aged 26, accompanied a niece for medical treatment in Ramallah. They left via Beit Hanun and she was detained by the occupying army on suspicion of planning an attack, without any evidence. She was pregnant, but did not know it.
3.-She was transferred to Hasharon prison north of Tel Aviv and gave birth to Youssef in prison in 2008. Fatima named him in memory of the prophet whose story gave her hope during her imprisonment.
4.- Youssef was born and raised in the harsh conditions of prison for two years, facing medical negligence, malnutrition, and lack of proper care.
5.- The two were released in 2009 as part of an exchange of 19 Palestinian hostages for a video proving that Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was alive and in Hamas custody. Youssef and his mother were a symbol of Palestinian resilience.
6.- On July 12, 2025, an Israeli bombing of his apartment killed Youssef; his mother survived. His martyrdom caused waves of grief in Gaza. That day, at least 100 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were killed by Israel.
Drawings by Carmen Fernández
History to print: YOUSEF pdf
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