Palestinian woman reveals how she and her family defied the odds to reach safety by fleeing war zone to Egypt
A Palestinian woman has described her family’s perilous journey to reach safety in Egypt, while millions of people remain trapped in war-torn Gaza.
Lna Shaqalaih , 22, and her family of seven were forced to flee their home following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October. Originally from Gaza City, the family made their way southwards to Khan Younis and later Rafah.
Before her life was turned upside down, Lna, a graphic designer, was months away from graduating in her multimedia degree at Gaza University. She had been due to start her dream role as part of the social media team for a telecommunications company.
At least 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing onslaught and famine across northern Gaza is imminent, with more than 70 per cent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population facing “catastrophic hunger”, a United Nations-backed report published on Monday warned.
On Saturday, the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres visited the border to discuss plans for a ceasefire as Israel continues to threaten to launch a major military operation in Rafah despite international calls to stop the devastating conflict.
Some 300,000 people remain trapped in famine-struck northern Gaza where people have been forced to eat animal feed by means of survival.
According to the UN, 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced to Rafah, the southern corner of the Gaza strip, where an Israeli attack is imminent despite urgent calls for a ceasefire.
Lna said: “I can’t describe how hard it felt to leave my house; I cried like a little child, unable to tolerate that moment.
“Just imagine leaving everything behind – your house, your clothes, books, and all your possessions and memories. It truly hits hard.”
Lna left her home with her mother, Azhar AA Shaqalaih , 53, an English teacher, father, Monther, 55, a diplomat, brother Mohammed, 27, an architect, sister, Sama, 21, a medical student, brother Zaid, 18, and aunt Haijar, 75, on 13 October.
When the family fled to Khan Younis, they were forced to shelter in a 150 square ft apartment with 70 other people.
The struggle did not end there, as food and water were in short supply and with no cooking oil, they had to use a woodfire as bombs dropped overhead.
“The sounds of warplanes and bombardments in the area were terrifying. All I could think about at that time was when it would be my turn to be bombed or targeted. It’s a war zone – what else would you expect?”
In early December, Lna was forced to flee to again to Rafah from their relative’s apartment to live in a cramped, squalid room.
