Elderly Palestinian Couple Trapped in Gaza City During Four Months of War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to defy warnings from the United States and other countries by ordering his forces to move into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This move comes despite the presence of over 1.5 million Palestinians, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times during the four months of war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers. However, not all of Gaza’s civilians were able to flee to the south. A couple, Mohammed and Alia Elbasyouni, stayed in Gaza City despite the Israel Defense Forces’ evacuation order. They remained because they were elderly and could not travel on foot like the others seeking safety in southern Gaza.
Couple Trapped in a Warzone
The Elbasyounis, parents of a U.S. citizen residing in Los Angeles, endured unimaginable hardships during their time in Gaza City. They had barely any food or water, and Mohammed’s heart condition worsened due to the lack of medical aid. Alia described their existence as living in constant fear and stress, with shelling occurring around the clock. The situation seemed hopeless, but their son Loay, an electrical engineer, tirelessly sought a way to rescue his parents.
A Son’s Determination
Loay, despite being thousands of miles away, dedicated himself to finding an escape route for his trapped parents. He began his search after the third day of the war, exploring countless options and speaking to numerous individuals. The complexity of the task was compounded by the fact that his parents could not walk on their own. Eventually, Loay’s efforts paid off with the help of Turkish authorities. He arranged for an ambulance convoy to transport his parents from Gaza City to Rafah, the only open border crossing in Gaza since the war began.
A Dangerous Journey
The first attempt to transport the Elbasyounis was met with gunfire, resulting in the death of a medic and injuries to others. Determined, they tried again and successfully reached Rafah. From there, they crossed into Egypt and were eventually reunited with Loay in Turkey.
Bittersweet Reunion
Being back together with their son brought indescribable joy to the Elbasyounis. However, their happiness was tempered by the devastation experienced by their friends and family left behind in Rafah. With the threat of an impending Israeli ground assault, the elderly couple worries about the potential casualties among their loved ones.
In Mohammed’s words, “a large number of civilians will die” if an invasion occurs. The situation remains precarious, and the international community watches anxiously as the conflict in Gaza continues.