Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Displaced Gazans Wait Overseas for Safety and Reconstruction
Omar al-Hassayna left Gaza and went to Cairo after an airstrike destroyed buildings where many members of his family were sheltering.
He lost his wife, several sons, and grandchildren.
He is still living in Egypt and hopes to return to Gaza.
He says he wants to wait until the area is safer and rebuilding can begin.
More than 100,000 people who left Gaza during the war are still overseas, according to Palestinian Authority figures.
The report says about 7,000 people have gone back.
Many people in Gaza are living in temporary shelters and aid supplies are inadequate, according to aid agencies.
Hassayna says he would return if there were a broad agreement and reconstruction began.
Omar al-Hassayna fled to Cairo after an Israeli strike killed many relatives and destroyed homes in Gaza City.
Palestinian Authority figures say more than 100,000 Gazans who left during the war remain overseas.
Hassayna says he is waiting for stability and reconstruction before returning to Gaza.
He says 308 members of his extended family were killed in the November 22, 2023 strike; many bodies were later recovered, while dozens remain missing.
About 7,000 people who left Gaza have returned, but the report says wider return depends on clearer prospects for the territory.
- Who
- Omar al-Hassayna and other Gazans displaced overseas during the war.
- What
- They remain abroad while awaiting safer conditions and prospects for return and reconstruction in Gaza.
- When
- The report is dated October 4; the strike that killed Hassayna's relatives occurred on November 22, 2023.
- Where
- Hassayna is in Cairo, Egypt; his family was struck in Gaza City.
- Why
- Hassayna says he is waiting for Gaza to become stable and for reconstruction to begin before returning.
Civilian impact and return
Israeli military position
The November 22 strike
Civilian impact and return
Palestinian authorities say 308 members of Hassayna's extended family were killed when strikes destroyed the buildings where they had gathered for shelter.
Israeli military position
The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on that strike's details. It says its Gaza attacks target military objectives while seeking to reduce harm to civilians.
Whether displaced Palestinians can return
Civilian impact and return
Hassayna says he hopes to return when Gaza is stable and reconstruction starts; he believes Egypt will prevent widespread displacement.
Israeli military position
Some Israeli politicians have urged encouraging Gaza's population to leave and preventing those who left from returning.
- Gazans still overseas
- More than 100,000, according to Palestinian Authority figures.
- Reported family deaths
- 308 members of Hassayna's extended family were killed, according to Palestinian authorities.
- Strike date
- November 22, 2023.
- People reported to have returned
- About 7,000.
- Bodies recovered
- Hassayna watched relatives bury 112 family members whose bodies had been recovered from rubble; dozens remained missing.
- Territory held by Israeli forces
- The report says Israeli forces still hold more than 60% of Gaza.