Gaza's Airport and Presidential Visit: A Glimpse of Statehood's Promise

The inauguration of the Gaza International Airport in 1998 symbolized hope for Palestinians in their pursuit of statehood. However, the rise of Hamas, the closure of the Rafah border crossing, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict led to turmoil and the airport's closure in 2001. Palestinian journalist Taghreed El-Khodary, who covered the region during this time, reflects on the challenges faced by Gazans and the impact on her own life. Today, the dream of a Palestinian state and the possibility of flights out of Gaza remain distant memories as the airport lies in ruins.