Stranded Palestinians in Cairo: A Search for Home

In Search of Home: Palestinians Stranded in Cairo

In Gaza, generations of families cultivated olive trees, tended flower gardens, and built homes filled with memories. They cherished family photos, knickknacks, and embroidered shawls, surrounded by the bustling life of factories, stores, and the serene proximity of the beach.

However, their lives took an unexpected turn, leading them to the bustling streets of Cairo, where tens of thousands of Palestinians sought refuge. In this new setting, they now reside in rented apartments overlooking a sea of concrete, a stark contrast to the life they once knew.

With uncertain legal status in Egypt, dwindling savings, and limited job opportunities, their present feels like an interlude rather than a future. The absence of schools for their children adds to their dilemma, leaving them stranded with no clear path ahead.

Physically present in Egypt but emotionally tied to a Gaza that is no longer recognizable, the Palestinians yearn for a return to normalcy. Nahla al-Bashti, who arrived in Egypt with her family, now sells Palestinian foods from her small kitchen to make ends meet, reminiscing about the fruit trees in her old yard.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a sense of suffocation looms large, as they cling to the hope of reclaiming the lives they once knew. The images of their destroyed homes in Gaza serve as a poignant reminder of the life they left behind.