Questioning and delays: A Palestinian family's grueling return to Gaza - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Nabih Bulos

February 19, 2026

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After 647 days in limbo, a Palestinian woman named Amani Imran and her family faced a harrowing journey home to Gaza following Israel's closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The family, including Imran's elderly husband Adel, who required urgent medical treatment unavailable in Gaza, was among thousands of Palestinians trapped in Egypt due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite a ceasefire agreement allowing limited passage, delays and strict conditions made their return fraught with challenges. The Rafah crossing, the sole entry point for Palestinians under Hamas control, remained closed after militants attacked Israel in October 2023. Months later, when it finally reopened in February 2024, only limited通行 was permitted—50 people entering and 50 exiting daily, including those seeking medical care. The Imrans, along with tens of thousands of others, waited patiently for their chance to return. When they were approved, they packed minimally, facing additional humiliations at checkpoints where items like water bottles and blankets were confiscated. The journey home was anything but smooth. After a grueling 35-mile bus ride from El Arish to Rafah, delays at the crossing left them stranded in a crowded hall for hours. When they finally crossed into Gaza, they encountered the same dire conditions they had fled: destroyed infrastructure, limited resources, and constant threats of Israeli bombardment. Imran reflected on her daughter Duaa's eagerness to return home, underscoring the deep connection many Palestinians feel to their homeland despite its hardships. This story highlights the ongoing suffering of Palestinians caught in the crossfire of a decades-long conflict. The closure of Rafah has left thousands stranded, unable to access healthcare, education, or basic necessities. While the ceasefire agreement offered hope, its limited implementation has failed to address the dire needs of those affected. For families like the Imrans, whose lives are perpetually disrupted by war and political instability, the road to rebuilding their future remains uncertain. This situation underscores the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where daily life is a battle for survival. The

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/19/2026