Omar Al-Hassanaina, a Gaza refugee, fled to Cairo after Israeli airstrikes destroyed much of his family. Now three years have passed, and he is still waiting for stability, security, and reconstruction in his devastated homeland.
Current Situation of Gaza Refugees
Al-Hassanaina is one of over 100,000 Gazans who fled the region following the war that began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and they remain abroad. They are still mourning their loved ones and their destroyed homes.
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He says about this: "I left Gaza and came to Egypt, the land of Kinana, but this will never be forgotten, my dear brother, it will never be forgotten." Al-Hassanaina is still waiting for an opportunity to return to his country and contribute as a constructive member of his community.
Challenges of Returning to Gaza
A year after the ceasefire in Gaza, which was supposed to initiate a reconstruction process under a technocratic government, the situation has not changed. Israeli forces still control over 60 percent of the land, and airstrikes continue almost daily. Hamas also maintains control over most residential areas of Palestinians, who largely live in temporary shelters with severe shortages of humanitarian aid.
On November 22, 2023, about 308 members of Al-Hassanaina's family lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes. In these attacks, his wife, four older sons, and four of his grandchildren, including a few-month-old infant, were killed. His eldest son, Mohammed, is also in Cairo with his four children.
Al-Hassanaina also has two daughters, one of whom has been transferred to Turkey while the other remains in Gaza, although her husband was killed in the attack. This situation reflects the profound humanitarian and social challenges that families face.
While about 7,000 Palestinians have returned to Gaza, many who fled abroad still face significant difficulties in returning. Some Israeli politicians have referred to a policy encouraging the exit of Gaza's population, but Al-Hassanaina believes that Egypt will prevent the large-scale displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Al-Hassanaina hopes that Gaza will achieve stability and that international agreements for reconstruction and the rights of Palestinians will be established, saying: "If Gaza returns to normal, why should I delay my return to my country?"
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