It never occurred to the Palestinian mother of two, Nahed Osaida, that a beautiful Friday evening picnic with her family would end in tragedy. 

Nahed is the mother of a four-year-old son and an 18-month-old daughter who was happily married to the senior Hamas militant leader, Mazen al-Fuqaha, before unknown assailants assassinated him outside his home.

Like every other Gazan family on Friday, Mazen, along with his wife and two children, went for a picnic to distance themselves from the everyday worries and misery caused by the brutal Israeli siege imposed on Gaza.

After relaxing in one of Gaza's modest, but relaxing spots, the family headed back to Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood where their home is located. Mazen's wife and children proceeded home while Mazen looked for a suitable place to park his car.  

 
Upon reaching her apartment, Nahed sat patiently inside waiting for the return of her husband. At first hand, she thought that Mazen's delayed arrival was a result of a friendly conversation taking place between him and a neighbor. However, little did she know that her husband's lifeless body was laying outside the family home with four bullets lodged in the head. 

Mazen was an ex-detainee that was serving nine life sentences in Israeli jails before being set free under the 2011 prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel.  After being released, he was deported to the Gaza Strip as part of the Israeli conditions. 

Mazen was charged for the prominent roles he played in several high-profile operations against the Israeli occupation. 
 
At a funeral organized by Hamas, west of Gaza City, Nahed sat in sorrow while accepting condolences from the citizens. "Everything that happened next to the house was without commotion. I wasn't worried when he didn't come home early because I thought he was talking to a neighbour. His death was a shock to me", Nahed said. 

"We were happy that day, and Mazen told me it was a beautiful day. We did not want to go home at the time, but the cold weather got the better of us and forced us to leave. Knowing that my husband was happy moments before his death gives me some relief," she continued. 

Nahed praised her husband, who spent 10 years in jail Israeli prison and described him as the "ideal person". 

"He always supported me and helped me to complete my university studies. He was patient, compassionate and kind, and was always trying to draw a smile on my face.  He made me feel at home in Gaza". 

 Nahed was forced to leave her hometown city of Nablus and her family to marry Mazen.

The marriage took place six years ago, and at the time Nahed was hesitant in accepting Mazen's hand.

 
"I was hesitant because I would have to leave the city of Nablus, leave my family, and come to Gaza, and I will not be able to meet my family because of the siege imposed on the Strip."

She confirmed that she and her late husband had not met with their relatives who had been living in the West Bank for six years.

However, after six years of marriage, she says she has not regretted her decision and feels happy because her husband finally wished to die as a "martyr for his religion and homeland."

"I do not care who the murderer is. I just want him to be punished, so that Mazen's blood doesn't go in vain," she said.

Mazen had dreamt of returning to the West Bank one day when it is liberated from the Israeli occupation.