A family from Medway is headed home after weeks of uncertainty while stuck in Gaza.
The Okal family had been visiting relatives when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7. The family was subsequently stranded in the area with limited power, food and water.
On Thursday, a friend of the Okal family told 7NEWS Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda and their one-year-old son Yousef had finally crossed the border into Egypt.
“They’re just so happy to be out,” said family attorney Sammy S. Nabulsi.
At one point in recent weeks, the Okal family had been staying in a single-family house with 40 other people, including 10 Americans.
Speaking with 7NEWS, Nabulsi said it was important to get the family out of danger, away from ongoing airstrikes and to a place where they could have access to water and food.
“The last two or three days were really hard for them emotionally, physically and just under this constant fear that they may not wake up to see another day,” Nabulsi said.
After several failed attempts to escape, the family was on their way to Cairo Thursday with their community back in Medway waiting to welcome them home.
On their way home, Nabulsi said, the family is processing what they have been through.
“I’m sure they’re all traumatized and drained physically and emotionally,” Nabulsi said.
Mohanad Mossalam, who knows the Okals, said he was relieved to hear the family had left Gaza.
“We are hoping to see them in the next couple days back here in Massachusetts,” Mossalam said.
Medway Selection President Glenn Trindade similarly said he was relieved and happy to hear the Okals were coming home.
There was a vigil planned for the Okal family in Medway on Saturday night. With recent developments, the vigil may now be a homecoming.
Back in Gaza, the sky of northern Gaza was illuminated by flares and explosions as Israel’s bombardment intensified Thursday night. Reporters on the ground said missiles rained for for more than 30 minutes.
The intensified fire came after the Israeli military announced it had encircled Gaza City.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is now scheduled visit Israel again in the coming days. He has said he plans to focus on discussing steps to minimized civilian casualties in Gaza.
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