A 25-day struggle to escape Gaza

Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda and their 1-year-old son, Yousef, were visiting family members in Gaza when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, sparking war with Israel.

The Massachusetts family embarked on a chaotic struggle to escape Gaza, which included walking for hours to secure drinking water. A single gallon of water was shared among 40 people. Abood traveled to the Gazan city of Khan Younis to get milk for his son, who had developed an ear infection and was enduring a fever. An air strike occurred on his way.

The family entered Egypt through the Rafah border crossing on Nov. 2 and was transported to Cairo. After nearly a month in Gaza, the Okals landed in Boston on Monday. But the sense of relief at their return comes with complex feelings: Both Abood and Wafaa's parents remain in Gaza amid intensifying fighting.

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