Gaza’s Teen Newton: Brings Hope in the Face of Darkness

In the midst of the tragic displacement caused by Israel’s assault on Gaza, 15-year-old Hussam Al-Attar has emerged as a beacon of ingenuity, earning the nickname “Gaza’s Newton” from his fellow tent camp residents. Using two fans salvaged from a scrap market and ingeniously rigged with wires, Al-Attar has fashioned a makeshift electricity source to illuminate the tent where he and his family now reside.

recreate the legendary Isaac Newton, who  discovered gravity under an apple tree,. Al-Attar explained the inspiration behind his creation. “We here are living in darkness and tragedy, and rockets are falling on us, therefore I thought of creating light, and did so,” he said.

The Al-Attar family, like many others, find themselves cramped in Rafah, on the southern edge of Gaza, near the fence separating it from Egypt. Hussam attached their tent to a one-storey house, allowing him to mount the fans on the roof, effectively turning them into miniature wind turbines capable of charging batteries.


Read More: Iran’s Raisi and Turkey’s Erdogan Pledge to Contain Gaza Violence

Despite initial setbacks and two failed attempts, Al-Attar persisted and eventually succeeded in developing a functional lighting system. Wires connected the fans through the house, and with the use of switches, lightbulbs, and a thin piece of plywood, he customized a lighting setup for his family.

 Al-Attar expressed his happiness that he can help his family who was suffering during these difficult times. “I eased the suffering of my family, my mother, my sick father, and my brother’s young children, and everyone here who is suffering from the conditions that we live in during this war.”

Read more: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Initiates Gallant Knight 3 Humanitarian Operation for Gaza Relief

Living amidst the devastating conflict triggered by militants from Hamas, Al-Attar holds onto his dreams and aspirations. Grateful for being dubbed “Gaza’s Newton,” he aspires to become a scientist, much like Newton, with the hope of creating inventions that benefit not only Gaza but the entire world. In these hardships, Al-Attar remains a symbol of  Light between the darkness of war.