Mahmoud Dalloul, 28

My dream was to pursue pharmaceutical studies and natural medicine which can only be done outside of Gaza. The blockade did not allowed me this privilege. I was therefore compelled to study IT [information technology].

Today, I have completed my university studies and the siege is still ongoing. I contemplated traveling to pursue my post graduate studies, but I was unable to do so. I even tried to work in the Gaza Strip, but the unemployment rates are so high that I can only find intermittent or temporary jobs placements.

Today, I live in a two-room apartment with eight family members. I cannot establish a family whether by moving into a new home or by building or expanding our current one. This is because I lack the resources and opportunities needed to do this. I try to overcome these difficulties but we have lost our rights. I have no right to establish a family, and I consider my aspirations to be only dreams.