More than 100,000 Gazans who fled the enclave during the war that began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, are still stranded abroad, according to Palestinian Authority figures. Among them is Omar al‑Hassayna, who escaped to Cairo after an Israeli airstrike killed 308 members of his extended family.
Personal loss and hope for return
Al‑Hassayna described the tragedy that befell his family on November 22, 2023, when Israeli strikes demolished a Gaza City apartment block where relatives had gathered for shelter. The attack claimed the lives of his wife, four adult sons, four grandchildren—including an infant only a few months old—and many other relatives. He now lives in Cairo, where he sells remaining firefighting tools from his pre‑war business to support himself and has remarried.
“I am waiting for the moment when Gaza becomes stable so I can return to my country and be a productive member of this country,” al‑Hassayna said, emphasizing his desire to contribute positively to Gaza’s future.
Ongoing occupation and humanitarian challenges
Nearly a year after a ceasefire intended to launch reconstruction under a technocratic government, little progress has materialized. Israeli forces continue to control more than 60% of Gaza’s territory and conduct almost daily airstrikes, while Hamas retains authority over the densely populated civilian areas. Residents remain in temporary shelters with aid agencies describing the assistance as inadequate and reconstruction prospects dim.
Palestinian authorities report that about 7,000 displaced Palestinians have managed to return home, but the vast majority, including al‑Hassayna’s family members, stay abroad. Some Israeli politicians have advocated for policies encouraging all Gaza residents to leave and preventing their return, a stance al‑Hassayna believes Egypt will ultimately reject.
International context and future outlook
Al‑Hassayna says a comprehensive international agreement that ensures a lasting solution for the Palestinian people and initiates reconstruction would prompt his return. “If Gaza returns, if there is an international agreement and construction begins, why would I delay?” he asked.
The Israeli military declined to comment on the specific November 22 strike, reiterating that its operations target military objectives while attempting to minimize civilian harm.
Human dimension of displacement
Al‑Hassayna’s extended family illustrates the broader human toll. One daughter was medically evacuated to Turkey with her husband and six children; another remains in Gaza with five children after her husband was killed in the attack. His oldest son Mohammed lives in Cairo with his own four children, and the widow of one of the deceased sons resides there with her daughter.
While the war’s devastation continues to shape daily life for those displaced, stories like al‑Hassayna’s underscore the enduring hope for a stable, rebuilt Gaza where families can return safely and rebuild their communities.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
