For 25 years, the Abu Shama family endured the pain of separation, dreaming of a day when father and son would reunite. That moment has finally come, but not as they had hoped.
Adel Abu Shama was just a baby when his father, Ramzi, was arrested by Israeli forces in 2001 and sentenced to life in prison. Last week, Ramzi was freed as part of a prisoner exchange deal—but instead of returning home to the West Bank, he was forcibly deported to Gaza, leaving his family still unable to embrace him.
"We’ve waited 25 years for this hug, only to be denied again," says Adel, now 25. "We don’t know when we’ll see him, but at least he is free."
Despite the bitter reality of separation, the family finds solace in knowing that Ramzi is no longer behind bars. His release is a testament to Gaza’s resilience, a sacrifice made by its people to secure freedom for Palestinian prisoners.
For now, the embrace remains a dream deferred—but one they refuse to give up on. "One day," Adel says with quiet determination, "we will be together again."
Source : Safa News
