Displaced Gaza Couple Farms in Cemetery for Survival

A displaced family from northern Gaza is cultivating a small garden in the Khan Younis cemetery to survive, having lost their home and livelihood due to the ongoing conflict. They hope to return home soon.

Wed May 13 2026

Life and Farming in a Cemetery

Ibrahim Younis and Umm Bilal, a displaced couple from northern Gaza, have been living in the Khan Younis cemetery for eight months after losing their home and all means of livelihood due to the war. Despite the harsh conditions, including mice and fleas, they have cultivated a small plot in the cemetery to sustain themselves. Umm Bilal, who lost her children, expressed her hope, stating, "May God help us, and may the war end so we can return to our homes."

Past Abundance and Present Hardship

Ibrahim Younis recalled that before the war, he cultivated a 210-square-meter rooftop garden with four greenhouses, growing various vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, parsley, arugula, and mint. He also had four lemon trees, two plum trees, and grapevines. However, he has now lost everything, struggling even to cover medical bills. His family and relatives have fled north, but Ibrahim is unable to return. The municipality has failed to extend water lines, forcing them to fetch water from a kilometer away.

Self-Sufficiency and Hope for the Future

Currently, the couple consumes the vegetables they grow, sharing or selling any surplus to sustain themselves. Despite challenges like daily water fetching due to a lack of municipal connection, they earnestly wish to return to their hometown of Beit Hanoun. Having lost everything to the war, they cling to hope, cultivating their small garden.

*Source: YouTube: Middle East Eye (2026-05-13)*

Tags: #Gaza #Palestine #Displaced #Self-sufficiency #Cemetery #Agriculture