The embodiment of Palestinian history

Gaza’s oldest resident, Um Saleh Hamood passed away and was buried on Monday in a grave which was dug out for her more than 20 years ago.

The 128 year old was born in 1886, according to her family, and had five sons and four daughters.

Her grandson Mohammed Hamood, 30, told the Anadolu Agency that Um Saleh’s father was a soldier in the Ottoman Army.

He added: “Hamood’s father joined the Turkish Ottoman army, and spent more than 35 years in it.”

Until her death, Um Saleh kept earrings which were more than 100 years old, made of pure Turkish gold, which her father had brought over and gifted her at her wedding.

A number of Turkish organisations working in the Gaza Strip had approached Um Saleh to purchase her earrings, which are considered ancient, to exhibit them in an “archaeological” museum in Turkey.

She also kept a flour mills which, her grandson explains, the family used to grind wheat kernels and coffee.

“My great grandfather brought this mill from Turkey, 95 years ago, during one of his visits to see the family in Palestine, his breaks from the army,” Mohammed explained.

He said that his grandmother continued to use the mill in recent periods.

Mohammed said his grandmother had completed the pilgrimage (hajj) four times in her life, saying she worked for more than 30 years as a midwife.

Below is the transcript of an interview conducted by the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen TV Um Saleh Hamood.

News anchor: One of the weirdest stories to come out of Gaza is that of a house that has stood in the Strip for over 100 years. In it lives Um Saleh Hamood who is over 115 years old, as she says.

Reporter: Between these walls a number of residents live, we entered this historic house in Jabalia, Gaza. In it lies an elderly lady, 115 years old. She lives in this house with her son Saleh who is in his 80s. She remembers everything about her life as if it was a fast playing movie.

In a jolly manner she sings national songs that she has sung for tens of years. She stays on this bed, unable to move, in spite of the fact that she suffers from no illnesses.

She has held on to a few relics from the old days including the flour mill.

She lived through part of the Ottoman rule of Palestine, and saw the British take control of Mandate Palestine and their departure, then the Israeli occupation that ensued. She is the greatest witness of the history of Palestine.

Saleh: During the Ottoman Empire she was illiterate, and then when the British came she began to read. The life she lived was simple. Not materialistic.

Reporter: Over 10 years ago, Um Saleh got very ill; her family thought she was dying, so they dug up her grave in preparation. Everyone who helped dig the grave has now passed away, while she lives on to play with her great, great grandchildren.

History is preserved through the lives of those that have experienced it. Palestine and its story are embodied in the likes of Um Saleh who maintain the memories in spite of their old age.

[In the video below, Um Saleh’s words are incomprehensible]