Palestinian family in Cambridge worried about safety of family in Gaza

Rami Aljadba from Cambridge, Ont. remembers feeling sick to his stomach with dread when he first heard about the airstrikes that pounded Gaza on Tuesday.

It was one of the deadliest days of the 17-month-old conflict and it was followed by more airstrikes later in the week.

"None of us are OK," he said. "The amount of force that was used in one hour. The pictures of the kids, women and men under the rubble [during] the holy month of Ramadan when when people were about to start their fast for for the day — I can't even find words to describe how sickening that was for me."

Palestinian health authorities said Israel's decision to abruptly end a two-month ceasefire with Hamas killed more than 400 people on Tuesday alone. At least another 91 people were killed across Gaza on Thursday after Israel resumed bombing and ground operations, said Palestinian health authorities.

Israel says 59 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with 24 of them believed to be alive.

Aljadba is worried. His uncles, cousins and in-laws are all still in Gaza.

"The streets are filled again with people sleeping under the rubble ... things are drying up and whatever is left is very expensive. So the situation is dire," he said.

"I can't even comprehend how you can even live through this."

'Hoping they can be alive for another day'

Aljadba was able to bring some of his family members to safety in the summer of 2024 after a costly process that began over a year ago when they first fled Gaza.

It hasn't been easy for them and they constantly remember the homes, belongings and people they left behind.

"They're still so attached — the young kids, all they think about is once the war is over, 'We want to go back to our friends or our school' ... They still talk about their toys," he said. "They have fond memories of [Gaza]."

WATCH | In one night, he lost at least two dozen family members:

Survivor lists 26 family members killed in overnight airstrikes on Gaza

10 days ago

Duration 0:40

Musab Quraiqa says he wrote out a list of 26 names lost, but fears at least 40 members of his family were killed overnight.

Aljadba says some of the houses his family lived in are now destroyed along with everything in them that made it feel like home. The family that is now in Waterloo region is constantly worried about the future of the family that is still in Gaza.

It's making them reflect on the value of family this Ramadan.

"Ramadan has always been a time of connecting with God and also connecting with your friends, with your family, gathering over a meal. It doesn't feel the same anymore," Aljadba said.

"You feel guilty [because] you have access to food... I won't feel good buying new clothes and new toys for my kids [on Eid] while their second cousins in Gaza are just hoping they can be alive for another day."

LISTEN | Palestinians in Waterloo region are worried for family in Gaza:

The Morning Edition - K-W6:01Local Palestinian community reacts to recent airstrikes in Gaza

Palestinians living in Waterloo region are reeling from the news of air strikes in Gaza that have killed around 600 people. We hear from Cambridge resident Rami Aljadba, whose family was directly impacted.