A Father's Cry; Hassan's Journey From Rubble to Hope

My name is Hassan Abu Odeh.

Before the war, I lived a simple but dignified life. I owned a small shop that provided for my family and gave me a sense of purpose. That shop was more than just a business—it was my dream, my children’s future, and the only source of stability we had.

But when the war came, everything changed. My shop was bombed and reduced to rubble in an instant. With it, my livelihood disappeared.

Now, I am left struggling without food, without proper shelter, and with children who look to me for safety I can no longer provide. Every day is a battle to find even the most basic needs—bread, clean water, medicine.

I want to protect my children from this endless suffering. I want to take them to safety, away from the hunger, the fear, and the destruction that surround us. But leaving Gaza requires resources I simply do not have after losing everything.

My life collapsed when my shop was destroyed. My future, my work, my stability—all of it vanished under the rubble. Today, I stand with nothing but hope and the plea for help to rebuild a life for my children in a safe place.