He gained the attention of news outlets in the early 2000s, when Israeli soldiers occupied his home in Deir al-Balah and strictly controlled his family's movements.
Bashir's three-story home in Deir al-Balah, which he was born in,[1] was located on land owned by his family for the past 300 years.
[2][3][4] It was occupied by soldiers in October 2000 due to its proximity to the religious settlement of Kfar Darom, and its usefulness as a lookout point.
[2] Although given the opportunity to leave, Bashir was determined to stay in the "cradle of [his] childhood", knowing if they left they might not be allowed to return to the property.
[5] In November 2000, Bashir's mother died, and the family fought with the army to be able to hold the Islamic funeral rituals; the soldiers conceded.