Despite the ongoing bombardment of their homeland many Palestinians at the Rafah Crossing are now trying to go home rather than flee.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin visited the crossing on his trip to the Middle East – meeting with Palestinians and aid workers trying to get humanitarian help to the people of Gaza.

Newstalk reporter Barry Whyte and a delegation of other Irish journalists have joined the Tánaiste for the trip and, on The Pat Kenny Show this morning, he said many Palestinians he spoke to were now trying to return home.

Palestinian woman Haneen told Barry that she is trying to return with her husband and three children four months after fleeing the bombs over her home in Khan Younis.

Her reason for wanting to return even as the bombs continue to fall is simple: “Because it is my home.”

“I left so many [people behind],” she said.

“I left so many memories, so many people and so many acquaintances.”

Haneen’s children Lian Abu Shammalan (10) and her younger sister Sama (7). Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

She said her four-year-old son was injured in the bombing on October 26th.

“In Khan Younis we were in the middle of the bombing,” she said.

“My son got injured in his leg and he started to fear everything – specifically the sounds of the bombing coming from the darkness.

“Any sound that is loud enough, they all get scared.”

'We lost many people'

She said her home was badly damaged and her husband’s cousins home was destroyed.

“We lost many family members,” she said.

“My husband lost so many of his cousins and we lost so many of our friends and colleagues.”

The Rafah Crossing. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

She said she is afraid to return – but remains determined.

“To be honest, I am seriously scared that anything might happen to us,” she said.

“Our lives are not guaranteed there so there are mixed feelings but I want to go home.

“It is my home and I need to go back but at the same time I am really scared. I am scared for myself and my kids and for everything in my life – it is just so mixed.”

She said her children have not had any schooling since October.

“I am scared for them,” she said.

“If anything happens to them, my life is worthless then – but they need to learn that home is home and home is precious.”

"We want to live"

Barry also met many others at the crossing trying to make their way back to Gaza – including Mohammed who said he had lost 21 family members since October.

He said his home has been destroyed but he is still determined to return.

Asked what he and his countrymen now want, he said: “We have nothing. We want to live.”

Barry also spoke to Red Crescent aid workers and saw firsthand the huge convoy of aid vans waiting for permission to enter Gaza.

Red Crescent worker Lotfy S. Ghieth told Barry Israel is refusing to let a long list of items – including hospital equipment and medication through.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the Rafah Crossing. Image: Newstalk

Barry said the Tánaiste and the entire delegation were deeply impacted by the sight of all the unused aid.

“There is no rational, logical reason as to why CT scanners, basic generators and sleeping bags are being rejected and not sent in as aid to Gaza,” the Tánaiste told Barry.

“One has to come to the conclusion that this is a really punitive system that is denying Palestinians living in Gaza very basic humanitarian aid.

“It’s very difficult to rationalise this and it all leads to one compelling narrative – that the people of Gaza are being punished collectively.

“I cannot rationally come to any other conclusion … That is unacceptable.”

You can listen back to Barry’s full report here: