‘One war for another’: Ukrainian refugees return from Israel

Tetiana Kocheva fled her home in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv after Russia invaded last year, taking refuge in Israel’s coastal town of Ashkelon, near Gaza. 

Her husband had worked in Israel in the past, and she thought taking their three children there — away from Russian attacks — would guarantee living in peace.

But then came October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to a war that has since killed thousands.

Like several thousand other Ukrainian refugees, Kocheva fled war for a second time.

“If I am killed then at least it’s on my native land,” the 39-year-old said.

When Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, Kocheva spent ten days hiding in a basement in Kharkiv, which almost fell to the Russian army.

Five months into the invasion, the family left for Israel.

They began a new life in Ashkelon, some 10 kilometres (six miles) from Gaza.

During the…