KHAN YUNIS, Gaza Strip — Dozens of Palestinians emigrating from Gaza are missing after boats ferrying asylum seekers sank in the Mediterranean in September. The first boat was deliberately sunk by unknown perpetrators on Sept. 10, followed by the sinking of a second boat off the coast of Alexandria on Sept. 12 and a third vessel off the Libyan coast on Sept. 14.

Abu Anwar al-Masri lost nine of his family members in the Sept. 10 tragedy, including his two young sons, Fadel, 10, and Walid, 17, his sister and her children. Since that day, Abu Anwar stands by the sea every afternoon, hoping to find at least one body of his sons. Bodies would allow him to give his beloved ones a proper farewell, hold funeral services for them and receive mourners.

For now, Abu Anwar comforts himself with rumors and stories from survivors about his sons. Sometimes he allows himself to think that they are still alive; the smugglers assured him they were not on the drowned boat.

With eyes red from crying, Um Anwar prepares food for her young children sitting in front of dishes at their dining table in her small house. “All we want is to know the fate of our two sons. Did they die of hunger or cold, did they drown, or were they eaten by a shark, as was reported?” she asked.