Franco-Palestinian man waits for wife in Gaza

Walid M., a Franco-Palestinian resident of Marseille, has been waiting for 18 months for his wife, Reema, to be evacuated from Gaza, where Israel is conducting a war that has killed tens of thousands of people - and sometimes hundreds within a single family. He describes a "human and vital emergency" and an "incomprehensible" situation.

War in Gaza causes family separations

Families in France, including other refugees and students, are seeking to reunite with relatives stuck in Gaza to escape the conflict. The war has led to widespread displacement and has forced many to seek safety in other countries, often leaving loved ones behind.

Administrative challenges delay reunification

However, they face challenges due to administrative opacity and restrictive family reunification criteria. The process of bringing family members to France is complicated by unclear procedures and strict eligibility rules, which make it difficult for many to act quickly.

Hope and resignation among affected families

Affected families oscillate between hope and resignation as they navigate the bureaucratic hurdles. Many feel trapped between the urgency of the situation in Gaza and the slow, often confusing process of obtaining the necessary permits to reunite.