Michigan Couple's Harrowing Escape from Gaza: A Tale of Fear, Desperation, and Hope

A Michigan couple, Zakaria and Laila Alarayshi, trapped in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, described the fear and desperation they experienced as bombs exploded around them. They were among the U.S. residents who were able to evacuate from Gaza after being trapped there since the start of the war. The couple recently returned to Michigan after finally being allowed to cross the border into Egypt. They faced scarcity of food, water, and electricity during their time in Gaza. Zakaria Alarayshi sought help from the Arab American Civil Rights League, and after several failed attempts, they were able to reach safety.