Sun Jan 19 12:46:23 UTC 2025: ## Gaza War’s Lingering Scars: Exiles in Cairo Grapple with Trauma and Despair
**Cairo, Egypt –** The recent ceasefire in Gaza offers little solace to Palestinian families exiled in Cairo, who continue to grapple with the profound trauma and hardship inflicted by the war. For nearly a year, the sounds of conflict – missiles, explosions, and screams – have echoed in their minds, even thousands of miles from home.
One anonymous resident, speaking to Al Jazeera, described the persistent psychological toll. The everyday sounds of airplanes and fireworks trigger panic attacks, replacing the peace of exile with a constant reliving of the horrors witnessed in Gaza. Financial hardship adds to their suffering; many, including the author’s family, struggle to find work and afford basic necessities.
The account highlights the stories of several individuals facing similar challenges. Duaa, who fled Gaza to pursue her education, received news of her family’s deaths shortly after arriving in Cairo. Overwhelmed by grief and unable to cope, she now faces eviction. Rawan, another student, lost her entire family in a bombing, leaving her a shadow of her former self. Nada and her sister, separated from their family, struggle with poverty, harassment, and fear in their isolated existence.
The ceasefire, while bringing a temporary halt to the immediate violence, offers little hope for a return to normalcy. Gaza remains largely uninhabitable, and even a lasting peace won’t erase the profound losses or guarantee an end to the blockade and harassment. The author and their family have made the difficult decision to rebuild their lives in exile, recognizing that their former life is irretrievably lost. The article concludes with a sobering reflection on the enduring human cost of the war, and the uncertainty of the future. The long road to recovery, both physical and emotional, remains long and arduous.
First Piper 