On July 10, 2026, the search for missing family members in Gaza has become a painful journey for many, including Fidaa Haji, who lost her loved ones in an Israeli air raid in November 2023. The Haji family home in al-Zaitoun neighborhood was reduced to rubble, leaving behind memories and unfulfilled goodbyes.
Tragedy Strikes the Haji Family
The Haji family, once comprising over 30 members, experienced unimaginable loss when an airstrike targeted their three-storey home. Fidaa Haji, 34, and her four children survived, but her husband, Adnan Haji, aged 34, and many relatives did not. “I can’t imagine that the people I love are still under the rubble… the thought alone breaks me every day,” she expressed.
After the air raid, Fidaa and her children sought refuge in a southern area of Gaza, where they lived in tents on a beach. Following a ceasefire in October 2025, they returned to their neighborhood, only to confront the wreckage of their past life. The debris serves as a constant reminder of their tragic loss, making it difficult for them to move forward.
Confronting the Harsh Reality of Loss
Fidaa's return home was marked by an overwhelming sense of grief. She recounted, “Every time I return to the place, I try to convince myself it’s not like this…but my mind refuses to believe they ended up under the earth without a farewell.” The psychological impact on her children has been profound, with her daughter Hala displaying signs of trauma, including a fear of approaching parts of their home.
On July 1, 2026, the Haji family attempted to recover the bodies of their loved ones. Despite limited resources, they managed to retrieve six bodies, an agonizing process that highlighted the challenges families face in identifying remains after years of waiting. Thousands of bodies remain trapped in Gaza, according to local authorities.
The Broader Impact on Gaza's Families
According to Gaza’s Civil Defence, the ongoing recovery operations are severely hindered by a lack of equipment and resources. “Thousands of bodies are still under the rubble due to the difficulty of access and the lack of heavy equipment needed for recovery operations,” stated Ismail al-Thawabta, Director of the Government Media Office in Gaza. The delays in retrieving bodies exacerbate the psychological trauma experienced by families.
Humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns over the psychological harm caused by prolonged mourning without closure. Families endure a state of “suspended grief,” where their loved ones are neither buried nor farewelled. Abdullah al-Majdalawi, Director of Public Relations and Media at Civil Defence, noted that the efforts to recover bodies are limited, with only 400 hours of excavation time available for a small number of homes.
- Over 30 family members lost in the Haji family airstrike
- Six bodies recovered by the Haji family on July 1, 2026
- Thousands of bodies remain trapped in Gaza
- Limited excavation time of 400 hours for recovery operations
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
