As the Israel-Palestine war continues to wreak havoc on Gaza, some Palestinians who left the region for life-saving treatments are desperate to return home. Rania and Khaled, a couple in their 60s battling cancer, had left Gaza a few months ago for chemotherapy in Jordan. Their plan was to return in November, but the devastating Israeli airstrikes and blockade have forced them to remain in Jordan, far from their sons in Gaza. The lack of internet and poor telecommunication network makes it difficult for them to communicate with their loved ones, adding to their anxiety about their safety. The war has taken a toll on their mental and physical well-being.

Similarly, Rami, a 26-year-old cancer patient, is stuck in Jordan, his treatment disrupted by the conflict. He shares the same fears and uncertainty as Rania and Khaled, longing to be reunited with his family in Gaza.

Even Eastern Iowans like Yaser AbuDagga and Anne Hagie, who have family members in Gaza, fear for their loved ones' lives. AbuDagga, a Muslim, is working to get his 84-year-old father, who is also a U.S. citizen, out of Gaza. Hagie, a Jew, anxiously waited to hear if her siblings survived the initial Hamas attack on Israel. Both wish for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Escaping the conflict, Qassem Ali, a U.S. citizen, left Gaza for Egypt after witnessing the destruction caused by the war. With limited access to journalists, the situation in Gaza remains unclear. However, Ali's firsthand account reveals the fear and uncertainty faced by Palestinians.

As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, reaching over 10,000, the desperation to return home grows stronger. Palestinians long for an end to the conflict and a chance to rebuild their lives in peace.