Wafaa Abuzayda, Abood Okal and their 2-year-old son Yousef sit outside their Medway home in May of 2024. The family found themselves trapped in Gaza for nearly a month at the outset of the Israel-Hamas War. Sebastian Restrepo/MassLive.com
Editor’s Note
A Medway couple and their then-1-year-old son found themselves trapped in Gaza last fall as the Israel-Hamas War began. This article is Part 1 of a series of four stories about how they survived in a war zone and how the experience affects them to this day.
It was Oct. 6 when husband and wife Abood Okal and Wafaa Abuzayda and their then 1-year-old son gathered on a rooftop patio for what would be their last dinner with many of their relatives in the Gaza town and refugee camp of Jabalia.
That night was unseasonably warm and the atmosphere was joyful. Diners had a view of the ocean as they ate, played cards and played peek-a-boo with the young child, Yousef, as music and singing filled the air.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
