In the shadow of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the stories of those who have managed to escape—and those still trapped in limbo—paint a vivid picture of hope, hardship, and the desperate search for safety. As of November 24, 2025, around 100 Palestinians from Gaza who fled the war and found themselves in Egypt have turned to the Spanish embassy in Cairo, seeking international protection and the chance to begin anew in Spain. Their plight, marked by legal uncertainty, daily struggles, and a profound sense of vulnerability, mirrors the broader humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians displaced by the conflict.
According to reporting by russpain.com, these Palestinians include entire families, pregnant women, children with chronic illnesses, and elderly people in dire need of medical care. Their situation is precarious: after entering Egypt on regular visas that cannot be renewed, they are unable to obtain residency. This leaves them unable to work, study, access healthcare, or even open a bank account. Children are left without schooling, adults cannot find employment, and the sick have little to no access to the medical care they desperately need.
The legal landscape in Egypt offers them no solace. Egypt does not recognize the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) when it comes to Palestinians, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not operational in the country. This means these refugees have no international support and no legal pathway to regularize their status. They exist in a legal vacuum, unable to integrate into Egyptian society and constantly fearing deportation.
Legal representatives for these Palestinians have been working tirelessly to secure their rights. The first applications for protection were submitted to the Spanish embassy in Cairo several months ago. Some applicants have already had interviews, and in previous cases, similar requests were granted, allowing people to travel to Spain and apply for asylum. However, the majority of families remain in a state of uncertainty, waiting for a response that, under Spanish law, may be considered a rejection if not received within a set timeframe—a process known as 'silent denial.' Lawyers are now contemplating legal action to ensure their clients' rights are not overlooked.
The personal stories of those seeking refuge are harrowing. Many have lost their homes, relatives, and livelihoods. For most, the journey to Egypt was not just a choice but a matter of survival. Some families paid significant sums to escape Gaza, only to find themselves burdened by debt and stranded in a country where they have no legal standing. One applicant, speaking to russpain.com, described the constant fear and uncertainty: "We have no work, no health insurance, and our children cannot go to school. Even if the fighting in Gaza ends, we have nowhere to return to. Our homes are gone, and there is no guarantee of safety from either Israel or Hamas."
Daily life for these refugees is fraught with hardship. Without access to medical care, children with chronic illnesses go untreated, and the elderly are left to suffer. The lack of education means an entire generation of Palestinian children risks being left behind, their futures uncertain. The isolation and fear of deportation hang over them like a dark cloud, especially as Egyptian authorities have a track record of deporting refugees from other countries, even when their lives are at risk.
For these families, the prospect of relocating to Spain represents more than just a change of scenery—it is a lifeline. Spanish authorities have confirmed that the asylum applications are under review, with decisions expected in the coming months. For many, this is the only ray of hope in an otherwise bleak existence, a chance to rebuild their lives with access to education, healthcare, and the basic rights they have been denied for so long.
While dozens of Palestinian families in Egypt await news from Spain, another story of escape and reunion has unfolded further north. Fourteen-year-old Meryem Yılmaz Jarada, born in Gaza to a Turkish mother and Palestinian father, was recently reunited with her mother in Ankara, Turkey, after a dramatic social media appeal led to direct intervention by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
As reported by Turkish news agencies, Meryem’s mother, Kevser Yılmaz Jarada, had been brought to Ankara two years ago for treatment of a brain tumor, arriving just two months before Israeli attacks on Gaza escalated in October 2023. During her mother’s treatment, Meryem, her father, and her siblings remained in Gaza, enduring constant bombardment, food shortages, and the ever-present threat of violence. Separated from her mother and unable to leave Gaza despite repeated attempts, Meryem finally took to social media, recording a heartfelt video message in which she addressed President Erdoğan as "Tayyip dede"—grandfather—pleading for his help.
Her words struck a chord: "I no longer remember how many relatives, friends and loved ones I have lost. I am not afraid of dying, but I fear the pain my parents will feel if I die. If I knew they wouldn’t suffer, I would ask God to take my life now because my siblings and I have no strength left. Tayyip grandfather, I call you this because I believe you see us as your grandchildren. We love you like a grandfather. I know your strong voice will get us out of this darkness. Please hear our voice and reach out your hand."
President Erdoğan responded swiftly, instructing Turkish authorities to arrange for the evacuation of Meryem and her siblings from Gaza. Approximately three months ago, they arrived in Ankara, finally reuniting with their mother after two long years apart. Meryem is now attending school in Ankara—her first experience in a Turkish school—and despite the challenges of adapting to a new environment, she remains determined. "My teachers help me. I want to become a doctor to heal children and everyone in need," she said, adding, "I also plan to start a foundation to help children when I grow up."
Meryem’s experience reflects the cultural realities of life in Gaza, where death is often viewed through the lens of martyrdom. "No one in Gaza fears dying. Death is better; you become a martyr," she explained. "I wasn’t afraid of martyrdom, but I worried about how my mother and father would bear missing me." Her mother, Kevser, expressed immense relief and gratitude for the reunion, noting, "Even though we were in Gaza, we always felt Türkiye’s support. My daughter believed President Erdoğan would help us. After our video reached him, an evacuation was arranged quickly. They came at a very difficult time. Now we have reunited, thank God."
These intertwined stories—of families marooned in Egypt, waiting for Spain’s answer, and of a young girl’s journey from war-torn Gaza to the safety of Ankara—underscore the immense challenges facing Palestinians caught in the crossfire of conflict and displacement. For some, hope lies in the uncertain promise of asylum. For others, it comes in the form of a long-awaited family reunion. In both cases, the search for security, dignity, and a future continues, even as the world watches and waits.
