Adham Heriz, a 41-year-old Palestinian from Gaza City, has recovered his wife Hiam’s remains nearly three years after an Israeli bombardment destroyed their home in Al-Yarmouk. The search for the family is not over: the remains of his 17-year-old eldest son, Anas, are still missing beneath the rubble.
Family lost in the 2023 attack
Hiam, 37, and three of the couple’s children were killed when their neighbourhood was struck on October 25, 2023. Their daughters Shahad, 18, and Dareen, 15, had been recovered earlier, while Anas remained buried. Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the bombardment levelled 18 multi-storey buildings containing about 175 apartments, with roughly 450 people inside.
Recovery teams return to Al-Yarmouk
Civil Defence carried out a coordinated 20-day search in the neighbourhood with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross. Egypt supplied excavation vehicles, while fuel was provided through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Crews recovered the remains of 105 people during the operation, including Hiam and members of other families. Civil Defence said 36 of the recovered people had not yet been identified. Anas has still not been found, leaving Heriz without a complete recovery and burial for his family.
