Gaza's Displaced Palestinians Find Shelter in Cemeteries
Among the dead, Gaza families have sought refuge from two years of conflict.
In Khan Younis, a dusty and sun-baked cemetery has become an unlikely home for over 30 families displaced by the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
Gravestones serve as makeshift seats and tables for those seeking shelter amidst the devastation.
Families like Maisa Brikah's have resided here for months, forced to live among the dead due to the destruction of their homes.
The ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 has seen some families return to what remains of their properties.
However, many others remain crowded into a small strip of unoccupied territory within Gaza.
In these cemeteries, life and death coexist as families navigate their daily routines despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding them.
Brikah's family, like many others, has no choice but to reside in this cemetery since their home was destroyed by Israeli forces.
The unease of living among graves is palpable, yet the alternatives are scarce.
Mohammed Shmah, another resident, shares his fear of the graves at night and admits to feeling a sense of vulnerability despite being an adult.
The lack of financial resources exacerbates this situation, with families struggling to afford alternative accommodations.
Hanan Shmah, Mohammed's wife, washes dishes with care, conserving precious water and highlighting the difficulties faced by these displaced families.
This grim reality has been exacerbated by the war itself.
Both the UN and other observers have reported that Israeli forces have bombed cemeteries during the conflict, while Israel accuses Hamas of using some sites for military cover.
The disruption to traditional burial customs has been significant, with bodies now being interred in hospital courtyards or elsewhere due to the chaos.
As the ceasefire holds, efforts are underway to locate and identify the remains of those lost.
Israeli forces press Hamas to hand over the remains of hostages, while Palestinian health officials display gruesome photos of returned bodies in hopes of identification.
The death toll in Gaza from the war now exceeds 68,800, with hundreds more added since the ceasefire due to the recovery of remains.
For families like Brikah's and Shmah's, the prospect of recovery, reconstruction, or return seems distant as they continue their lives among the dead in Khan Younis' cemetery.
Gravestones serve as makeshift seats and tables for those seeking shelter amidst the devastation.
Families like Maisa Brikah's have resided here for months, forced to live among the dead due to the destruction of their homes.
The ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 has seen some families return to what remains of their properties.
However, many others remain crowded into a small strip of unoccupied territory within Gaza.
In these cemeteries, life and death coexist as families navigate their daily routines despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding them.
Brikah's family, like many others, has no choice but to reside in this cemetery since their home was destroyed by Israeli forces.
The unease of living among graves is palpable, yet the alternatives are scarce.
Mohammed Shmah, another resident, shares his fear of the graves at night and admits to feeling a sense of vulnerability despite being an adult.
The lack of financial resources exacerbates this situation, with families struggling to afford alternative accommodations.
Hanan Shmah, Mohammed's wife, washes dishes with care, conserving precious water and highlighting the difficulties faced by these displaced families.
This grim reality has been exacerbated by the war itself.
Both the UN and other observers have reported that Israeli forces have bombed cemeteries during the conflict, while Israel accuses Hamas of using some sites for military cover.
The disruption to traditional burial customs has been significant, with bodies now being interred in hospital courtyards or elsewhere due to the chaos.
As the ceasefire holds, efforts are underway to locate and identify the remains of those lost.
Israeli forces press Hamas to hand over the remains of hostages, while Palestinian health officials display gruesome photos of returned bodies in hopes of identification.
The death toll in Gaza from the war now exceeds 68,800, with hundreds more added since the ceasefire due to the recovery of remains.
For families like Brikah's and Shmah's, the prospect of recovery, reconstruction, or return seems distant as they continue their lives among the dead in Khan Younis' cemetery.
