Gaza Homecoming: After 15 Months of War, the Abu Jarad's Family Returns Home to Gaza

After 15 Months of War, the Abu Jarad's Family Returns Home to Gaza

Members of the Abu Jarad family gather in front of their tent in a displacement camp in southern Gaza, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025

The olive, date, and orange trees in front of Ne’man House, the roof, and the roses and daisies in the garden have been destroyed by 15 months of Israeli bombing.

When Ne’man, three of his six daughters, and his wife Majida returned home, they had tears in their eyes and words of gratitude, "Thank God, thank God, thank God," on their lips.

"Grateful Return: The Abu Jard family shares a moment of relief and gratitude as they return to their home in Gaza after 15 months of separation. With hearts full of thanks, their journey symbolizes resilience and hope.

The Abu Jarad family in Ghaza returns home after 15 months:

When a ceasefire was announced in early January after a long war between Hamas and Israel, Palestinians who had lost hope of returning suddenly saw a glimmer of hope. It was announced on Sunday that Israeli troops would withdraw from two main roads and that Palestinians would be allowed to return to the northern area.

More than 375,000 Palestinians have been making the journey back to the northern border since Monday, including members of the Abu Jarad family. Majida packed food, water, and some clothes early in the morning and set off for her home. Ne’man, 49, carried one bag on his back, the other in his arm, and two bags hung from his elbows. He stopped frequently to
rest, drink water, arrange his bags, and then set off again.

"Grateful Return: The Abu Jard family shares a moment of relief and gratitude as they return to their home in Gaza after 15 months of separation. With hearts full of thanks, their journey symbolizes resilience and hope.

 After much difficulty, they finally reached their village. They witnessed for the first time the devastating effects of the war in the north. Over the past 15 months, Israel has repeatedly attacked areas of Gaza City, destroying homes and roads.

Majida, speaking to a group of people, said that the road is indeed difficult, but the joy of our home gives us strength, and we start our journey again.

When 49 old Ne’man, his wife Majida and their daughters arrived at their home, their daughters looked at their village in surprise, where all the houses and roads had been destroyed, but they were happy to see that their house, which had been destroyed by the war, was still standing.

"Grateful Return: The Abu Jard family shares a moment of relief and gratitude as they return to their home in Gaza after 15 months of separation. With hearts full of thanks, their journey symbolizes resilience and hope.

Ne’man shouted, "Allahu Akbar!" and kissed the walls of his house. Ne’man noticed that a flowering vine in front of him had miraculously survived. He immediately began to arrange and examine its branches. The Abu Jarad family will have to face the question of how to survive in the ruins of war-torn cities. Food and water are scarce, which is why even the population relies on humanitarian aid. But Ne’man and his family are determined to rebuild their homes and live a peaceful life again.