Families in Israel and Gaza share their stories

After two years and two days of war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have agreed the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire. In our conversations, families in Israel and Gaza share their experiences of the conflict and their lives today.

With the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages seized by Hamas fighters on 7 October 2023 now back with their families, we hear from husband and wife George and Yael. Their town was attacked by Hamas fighters two years ago, but Yael is hoping for a lasting peace.

“Most people here just want to live a peaceful life,” she says. “Even if they’re Palestinians, it doesn’t matter who they are, if they’re peaceful to us, then we’re peaceful to them.”

On the other side of the border, thousands of Gazans have been making the journey back to their homes but most already know that there will be little left. We connect Basil in Gaza with his daughter, Layan, who escaped to Egypt. She has not seen her father for more than two years but hopes to return.

“It’s a difficult feeling to know that a place that you once loved is ruined, but your soul is still longing to go there and you still have hope for the future that it is going to be rebuilt,” she tells us. “I want to be part of this rebuilding process.”

Presenter: Rahul Tandon
BBC producers: Isabella Bull and Iqra Farooq
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo/credit: Basil with his daughters)