Visiting Gaza Strip as a Palestinian | DW Documentary

German-Palestinian Nidal wants to return from Berlin to his family in the Gaza Strip. But will Israel allow a Palestinian to pass through the country? And will the Palestinian Hamas government let him enter?

This documentary follows Nidal Bulbul, a naturalized German citizen born in Gaza, on an exciting and emotional journey. He has not seen his parents or his ten siblings for over four years. A former reporter, he set up a successful café in the German capital. He’s made new friends, built a new life. But he always worries about his family back in his old home - a feeling that many who have found shelter from war or persecution in Europe know all to well. When everything points to a new escalation between Israel and Gaza, Nidal drops everything from one day to the next. He sells his café, gives his dog to friends and leaves for Gaza. But there are only two ways to get there: through Egypt or through Israel. Nidal wants to try the Israeli route, but it is unclear whether the Israeli authorities will accept his German passport and let him though the country to Gaza. And even if they do, will the radical Islamist Hamas government allow him in?

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[ozzylink]

I didn’t know ppl in gaza couldn’t travel or leave. I am so shocked and speechless

[dreamcatcher]

I’ve actually met many Palestinians when I’ve studied who had similar heartwrenching stories like his, even worse. They were not allowed to visit their families. That was 20 years ago. Nobody wanted to hear their stories. It’s so heartbreaking what they have to go through 😔

[luismoura]

His sister saying she wants to see him achieve his dreams and do what he wants knowing she might never be able to do the same is heartbreaking. I hope they're okay right now.

[naswh]

Wondering how he and his family are doing at this moment😢🤲🏽

[nomifrei]

absolutely heartbreaking. i live in berlin and wonder where nidal and his family are now and most importantly how they are. ❤‍🩹

[liviacubayachi]

That is SO heartbreaking 💔 I hope that someday palestinian people can live a better life

[emadmoussa]

It took me 16 years until I finally made it into Gaza to see my family. The journey through Egypt was a complete nightmare. But at least I made it and got out unscathed. I can totally relate.

[fiy]

He achieved the material dreams that most Gazans would never have, but he paid it with hefty price of losing his family's comfort.

[lefat]

heartbreaking. Nidal, Dahlia and the rest of family look like such good people.

[jgsovwz]

I've cried my eyes out :( I wonder how is Nidal's family today 💔

[dhr]

Unbelievable how one human being can be cruel to another human being...

[daveforgot]

My heart goes out to all the people like him and his people.

[doranakal]

Everyone should watch this piece these days. People tend to be forgetting there are ordinary good people living in Gaza, not just Hamas terrorists. Also people tend to think the hate and aggression just appeared out of the blue. There's reason for everything. I hope Nidal's family and many others like them, are still alive and unharmed. This whole story is just incredibly sad.

[govindagovindaji]

This is a most heartbreaking story. One good thing that has come out of this tragic time in 2023 in Gaza and Israel is that more people are turning to You Tube to learn more about life in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. 20:53 7 siblings have college degrees and no employment. Just heartbreaking. Israel has no idea what they are missing out on by treating Palestinians as 2nd class people or worse~!! I feel so many emotions yet the deepest one is helplessness and this is the worst of all feelings. I hope this family is thriving and are not harmed in 2023. I'd like DW to do a follow-up although I am very afraid of what we might learn.

[pemulis]

Thank you so much for making this and allowing us to see what it's like for Nidal and his family. I hope they're able to stay safe in the coming days.

[katharina]

Unbelievable. He has a German passport. Can’t the German ministry of foreign affairs do sth about it? Is it even legal on the Israeli side to not recognize the passport? Heartbreaking .

[humayunchaudhary]

May God bless all those no matter whether they be Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Jews who are living under oppression.

[shikshakshokwithjuliana]

As Russian Israeli Canadian I write here that I used to live in Israel 1992-2009 and I never ever knew what people in Gaza are living through. I understand that this is due to a political situation, but my heart is broken to see how much pain these people are going through.
I am a mother and no mother on earth wants to be away from her child. Horrible reality, I wish it was different.

I know there are peaceful people in Gaza, I follow Plestia and her team mate Motaz Azaiza. It is devastating that we are also being attacked all the time with the suicide bombs or shootings or stabbings. Normal people on both sides are paying a huge price.

I want our kids to stop fearing each other and never have to kill for revenge or defence or whatever reason. So many ruined lives 💔 too many …

[brainchildguru]

The dog would’ve been so sad if his dad never returned. Did you see how happy he was when he got back?! Hope Nidal is safe today and same with his family. And dog.

[elana]

The way he smiles. Even though everything was taken from him.