‘My Home Has Become A Graveyard’: CNN Reporter In Gaza Gives Heartbreaking Account Of Escape To Egypt

A CNN reporter trapped in Gaza for the past month has shared his heartbreaking account of his escape to Egypt with his family.

Anchor Boris Sanchez introduced Ibrahim Dahman’s story, saying, “Our colleague CNN journalist Ibrahim Dahman, has been trapped in the enclave for 28 days and he’s been showing parts of his family’s saga throughout the month. Now his family has fortunately escaped to Egypt, but they can’t get away from the ongoing tragedy of war, including leaving family behind,” Sanchez said.

To escape the relentless airstrikes in Gaza, Dahman, his wife and two sons, Zaid and Khalil, had initially fled south to the town of Khan Younis, where food and clean water were scarce. The first time the family headed to the Rafah crossing into Egypt, they were told it was closed and had to turn back. The second time, they were lucky.

The piece opened with the tragic statement, “My home has become a graveyard.”

In Rafah, I saw many families hoping to escape.

My heart raced as our documents were checked.

“Zaid, why do you want to go?”

“I want a safe space.”

“There are no safe spaces here.”

“That’s true.”

The names of a lucky few were called to board the bus to Egypt.

Finally, it was our turn.

My wife put on a brave face.

We both worry we may never see our relatives again.

The feeling of being in Egypt is indescribable.

“Are you happy, Khalil? What do you want to say?”

“It was difficult, but at the same time, it was good.”

In Cairo, we no longer hear airstrikes.

It has been one month since Hamas killed approximately 1,400 civilians in Israel and took hundreds of hostages. They have since released four of the hostages, including two Americans, following ongoing negotiations in Qatar.

“Israel’s defense minister said Israeli ground troops are now at the heart of Gaza city targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure,” said Sanchez. Hamas has been condemned for using Palestinian citizens and hostages as human shields as they battle the Israeli Defense Forces.

Watch the clip above via CNN.