Ahmad Ridwan was pushing the wheelchair, used by his 88-year-old grandfather Saadi, while carrying a bag with some clothes and a few other belongings.
They were heading back to Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza, after more than a year of forced displacement.
Ahmad, 27, looked exhausted.
They had set out from the Nuseirat area of central Gaza, early in the morning. Ahmad would have to walk a distance of about 15 kilometers before reaching their destination.
“The route is difficult and rough,” Ahmad told The Electronic Intifada. “The streets [along the way] were destroyed and there were a lot of debris and deep craters caused by the airstrikes.”
Despite the conditions, “we were determined to continue our journey and reach our home,” he added.
Before their displacement, Ahmad and his family had lived in a five-story building. With Israel laying waste to Jabaliya, that building was damaged severely.
“I’m happy because we can restore two rooms to live in,” he said. “That’s much better than living in a tent.” ….more