In commemoration of the first anniversary of the Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli assault on Gaza that killed approximately 1400 Palestinians and left more than 5300 injured, Al-Masry Al-Youm took to the streets to ask people what they would say to Palestinians on occasion of the new year. Mahmoud Sayed, 55, employee at the Egyptian Museum: “May God helps them and bring Al-Quds back to them and I hope they would secure a victory this year and have their own independent state.” Tareq Mahmoud, 30, employee at a marketing firm: “We always pray for them and I hope they will marry and have more children and live in Palestine, not anywhere else.” El-Sayed El- Saqqa, 34, sales representative: “May God enable them to achieve victory.” Rasha Abdel Rahman, 22, a graduate: “May God help them.” Gamal Mahmoud, 52, fruit seller: “What can I say? They harm us with the tunnels they dig. And of course Israel isn't going to stop them from digging.” Raafat Mohamed, 35, driver at the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development: “Happy new year! We are always supporting you.” Mohamed Fawzy, 34, professor at Zagazig University: “I can say nothing more than that we're always with them and may God grant them victory this year.” Randa Mohamed, 40, an employee at the Ministry of Higher Education: “I hope that all the Arab nations' governments sympathize with the Palestinians and that God will help them out of their anguish.”
