Gaza. For months, the name has dominated headlines around the world. But beyond the slogans and breaking news, what do we really know about daily life there? The most honest and human answers aren’t found in reports — but in the life story of someone who lived it.

This is the remarkable story of Ayman Abu Soobuch, born in 1977 in Khan Yunis, in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Raised in a traditional Muslim family, his early years were shaped by the social and political tensions surrounding him. But one transformative moment set him on a completely different path.

In this gripping memoir, he recounts being handed over to the Palestinian Authority, the unspeakable torture he endured in a Gaza prison, and his relentless battle in Israel against an unsympathetic police force, exploitative employers, and the rigid bureaucracy of the conversion system.

His story is a powerful testimony to human resilience, faith, and the pursuit of freedom. It is about choosing:

Life, not fear.
Compassion, not hatred.
Light, not darkness.

Today, Ayman — now known as Dor Shachar — shares his story around the world. His new name, meaning “a generation of love” or “dawn of a new day”, reflects the message at the heart of his journey: that change is possible, that bridges can be built, and that the human spirit can overcome even the darkest past.