300 days of Gaza war: UAE's Palestinian expats hope to see families in person, 'not in graves'

It's been 300 long and agonising days since war erupted in Gaza on October 7 last year. The past 10 months have been a roller-coaster of emotions, fear and uncertainties for Palestinian expats residing in the UAE as they watched families suffer through the unrelenting conflict back home.

For Reem, a Dubai resident, the past 10 months have been an uphill battle. Her sister lost her house and all of her family's belongings when airstrikes destroyed their home in Gaza.

"The house was built from my sister and her husband's life savings," Reem told Khaleej Times. "Her gold that our late mother gifted us before she passed — along with all their memories, clothes, everything you can think of – are all gone.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Now, Reem's sister and her seven children – two of whom are married with kids of their own – are all forced to live in tents.

"I just want my sister and her children to stay alive," Reem implored, adding: "After this war is over, I want to see them in person, not visit their graves."

News of the war in Gaza is too much for Reem to bear. "I couldn't watch the news. I’m scared to even open messages on my phone. I fear I'd see the name of my sister and her kids among the martyred list."

But Reem also knew that she had to be strong for her sister and her family.

Death preceded a wedding

Salma, Reem's cousin, has also been deeply impacted by the situation in Gaza. Salma's three cousins have had to move in together after their homes were destroyed.

"One of my cousins lost her 27-year-old son," Salma shared, adding: "It was the worst death in our family. His wedding was set for October 30, but he died on October 25."

Despite the tragedy, the cousins refused to be separated. "If we get bombed, we would all die together; we didn't want anyone to stay alone,” they said.

No school, home and livelihood

The day-to-day realities for Reem and Salma's families in Gaza have become unimaginably grim. “Their children no longer attend school, and their homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. They just want to stay alive and keep their kids alive – that's the hardest thing they're going through," Salma said.

Both Reem and Salma are providing much needed financial and emotional support as they can to their loved ones in Gaza. "I send them money when I can. They don't always receive it, but I'm doing the most I can," Salma said.

Reem added that she speaks to her sister and nieces and nephews every day, "to remind them that I love them and to try to comfort them as best I can".

'We all lost someone'

Sami Salman, another Dubai resident, shared the anguish felt by many Palestinians living abroad: He told Khaleej Times: "I try to communicate with them via the internet. Sometimes I can reach them, sometimes I can't because the internet is powered by solar panels which are not always available."

Sami's grief is palpable as he recounts the heavy toll the conflict has taken on his family. "I lost someone," he said, adding: "Actually, there is no Palestinian who hasn't lost someone."

Sami was able to evacuate some of his family members from Gaza to Deir al-Balah, one of the least displaced areas, but the majority of his family remains in the besieged territory, relying on dwindling aid supplies.

He noted: "The aid that comes is what my family lives on. Sometimes they can't reach it because it is either stolen or they try to sell it, but they try to get by."

No access to essential needs

• Gaza: Al Jazeera says reporter, cameraman killed in Israel strike