When an Israeli missile hit the Nabhan family's home in Gaza four days ago, no one was killed, but the family, which includes 4 disabled out of 5 members, was left homeless.

For the five siblings – all with motor disabilities, muscular dystrophy and convulsions, three of whom use wheelchairs – the misery was compounded after belongings such as wheelchairs, medicines, beds and toilets were buried under the rubble.

According to a Reuters report, the family now lives with relatives near their home. Every morning, relatives carry them to the site of their home, where people still stand to express sympathy for the siblings' horrific experience, and some give gifts to the girls.

Haneen, 16, who has a disability in her legs, said, "The house exploded and we are coming out of it, our chairs (wheelchairs) are faces, our clothes (medicine) and our eyes (clothes), so there is no need for us."

The others are 3, 18, 29 and 38 years old. Their relatives said that the moral damage of losing the house apparently worsened the older brother's psychological state, as he became very nervous, constantly screaming and sometimes crying.

A view from above of the remains of the building that housed the Palestinian brothers before it was bombed by the Israeli occupation (Reuters)

Occupation attacks

According to officials from Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, the latest round of Israeli air strikes, which began on May 15, destroyed 50 residential complexes with more than 940 apartments, and damaged 49 buildings, <> of which are not suitable for restoration.

On May 13, Haneen's older brother, Jalal, received a call from a private number, but went out to get his cousin to respond because he stuttered while talking. The caller was an Israeli officer who ordered them to evacuate the house just five minutes before it was bombed.

Cousin Hossam Nabhan, 45, tried to stall with the officer and told him that the house had people with disabilities, but all of this was to no avail, he said.

Mother Najah, 57, says they have not been able to take anything from home, even ID cards.

According to Reuters, the Gaza Strip is home to 2.3 million Palestinians in cities, towns and refugee camps confined to an area of 365 square kilometers. Israel and Egypt have closed their borders due to security concerns.

Several wars and the 16-year Israeli-led blockade have crippled the enclave's already struggling economy.