Working Group | Rural Damascus
More than ten Palestinian families from the Khan al-Sheih camp returned to Syria after a ten-year journey of asylum in Lebanon, seeking safety and shelter due to the war in Syria.
These families had left the camp during the period of siege and bombardment that the area witnessed, which drove them to seek refuge in Lebanon.
The latest return comes after the escalation of Israeli bombardment in several areas of Lebanon, forcing those families to leave once again in search of a safe haven, only to find themselves returning to the Khan al-Sheih camp, which they had left a decade ago.
Upon their return, some charitable organizations distributed urgent aid, including blankets, food supplies, and milk for children, in an attempt to alleviate their suffering.
Despite the aid provided, returning families faced new difficulties in finding shelter. Some sought refuge with their relatives within the camp, while others continued to search for houses to rent.
In a development that generated controversy among the returnees, some Lebanese Palestinian families were prevented from entering the camp, as entry was restricted to the families of the Khan al-Sheih camp returning from Lebanon only.
Among them, (R.), a Palestinian woman from the camp, married a Palestinian resident of Lebanon. When the family was forced to flee Lebanon due to the recent bombing, her husband and parents were prevented from entering the camp, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere under harsh humanitarian conditions.
This return represents a significant challenge for Palestinian-Syrian families living in tragic conditions due to the second displacement. In the absence of political and humanitarian solutions, these families continue to face multiple challenges in their search for safety, stability, and the preservation of their human dignity.