After Gaza Strike, Genocide Leaves Palestinian Man Alone Without Family or Home

A family lost in Jabalia

Each morning, Khalla visits the cemetery where members of his family are buried. He describes it as the resting place of people he loved most. The family’s five-storey home was struck after Israeli tanks had surrounded the area near it. With food scarce during the siege, Khalla had gone out to find provisions when the building was hit. All 39 people inside were killed; he had left shortly before and was the sole survivor in his family.

Khalla returned to find his home had been targeted. He and nearby neighbours tried to search the rubble, but continuing air attacks and aircraft made the effort dangerous. A surveillance aircraft dropped a bomb near them, forcing them to run.

Years of uncertainty and loss

The next morning, Khalla and others came back, but five floors of rubble made it impossible to pull anyone out. He said he imagined family members might still be alive beneath the debris.

His uncles had also been killed in an attack on their home opposite the family house, nine days earlier. Eighteen people died there, while the rest of that family had gone south.

After losing his home, Khalla slept in streets and in cars or other vehicles when he found one open. He described being alone and homeless, unsure whether he would be hit by a bullet or rocket, find food, or have somewhere to sleep.

Recovering and burying remains

Months after the ceasefire began and bombing decreased, Khalla started recovering his relatives’ remains. They had been beneath the remains of the home for 29 months. He sought help from civil defence, the Red Cross and other authorities. Khalla said shortages of equipment and many families seeking assistance limited what they could do.