The struggle to reunite children with families in war-torn Gaza

Unaware of the fate of so many people, many turn to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for help. He obtains detailed information and cross-checks it with available sources such as hospital lists and names of returned prisoners.

More than 8,300 cases were reported to the organization, but only about 2,100 were closed. Only a small part of them led to family reunification.

“People are in a state of uncertainty – they don’t know if their family members are alive, injured or in hospital, trapped in the rubble or if they will ever see them again,” said Sarah Davies of the ICRC.

Doctors and staff in hospitals also try to connect their patients with their loved ones.

About a year ago, the BBC filmed a newborn baby born by caesarean section after his mother was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Doctors have named the little girl “Hannah Abu Amsha’s daughter” and are keeping information about her in the hope that her relatives can track her down.

Recently, the nursery at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah told us that the baby was finally handed over to his father and is doing well.

A few days after the Masri family was reunited, local BBC journalist Kawther and his grandchildren, al-Mawasi, visited the IDP camp where they are now living in a tent. UNICEF helped them to buy extra food and medicine with short aid.

The girls also had warm jackets – several babies died of hypothermia to protect themselves from the cold temperatures, including at a camp on the coast near the town of Khan Yunis.

Although Kawther is relieved to have the children around, he still doesn’t feel they are safe. She worries about how to take care of them and their mental health.

“They’re in shock,” he says. “No matter how much we try to distract the girls and avoid talking about the war, they still think about it from time to time.”

“When night falls, they are afraid, they say: “There is a plane, there is a vacation.” They ask me: “Has it dawned?” and only when the morning comes they start to feel confident.”

Kawther says she desperately hopes for a truce and for her grandchildren to rebuild their lives. Not to be part of the lost generation.