Thousands of mourners gathered in Gaza for the mass funeral of 112 members of the Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families, killed in a 2023 Israeli attack, after a wait of three years.
Key facts
- A mass funeral was held for 112 members of the Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families.
- The victims were killed in a 2023 Israeli attack.
- Families waited three years before being able to hold the funeral.
- Thousands of people gathered for the ceremony.
Thousands of people gathered in Gaza for the mass funeral of 112 members of the Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families, who were killed in an Israeli attack in 2023, according to Al Jazeera.
The funeral came after a wait of three years, during which the families were unable to bury their relatives. The scale of the ceremony, marking the deaths of 112 people from two families, underscored the toll the 2023 attack took on those communities.
The event drew a large crowd of mourners who assembled to pay their respects. For the surviving relatives, the funeral represented a long-delayed opportunity to grieve and to carry out burial rites for those they lost.
The emotional weight of the occasion was captured in the words of a mourner who spoke of wanting to hug whatever remained of their loved ones, a phrase that gave the account its title and reflected the depth of loss felt by the families.
The gathering of the Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families brought together survivors and community members years after the attack, highlighting the prolonged nature of their wait to lay their dead to rest.
Why it matters
The mass funeral illustrates the lasting human consequences of the conflict in Gaza and the difficulties families face in mourning and burying their dead. Stories like this put a personal face on casualty figures and the extended period some families endure before finding any closure.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were buried in the mass funeral?
According to Al Jazeera, the funeral was held for 112 members of the Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families.
When were the victims killed?
The victims were killed in a 2023 Israeli attack, and their families waited three years before holding the funeral.
Which families were affected?
The Abu Shreia and al-Hassaina families were the two families whose members were killed and honoured at the mass funeral.