Escaping Genocide: Help My Family Evacuate Gaza

Hello,

My name is Alaa Abumathkour, I’m a Palestinian Canadian living in Mississauga, Canada.

With a heavy heart and deep concern, I’m urgently reaching out to anyone who can help 11 of my family members who are in desperate need for immediate evacuation from Gaza to ensure their safety and well-being as they’re experiencing a profound humanitarian crisis, unimaginable loss, and destruction during this relentless war on Gaza.

The toll of this war has been devastating for our families. I lost my brother Raed and his father-in-law leaving behind a shattered family: a grieving wife (Kareemah), 3 young children (Hasan, Aboud, & Sara), 3 small children (Huda, Awad, & Hala), and a new born baby girl (Maryam) in Gaza. Alongside with my brother (Ahmad), his wife (Taghreed), & their son (Kamal), & new born baby girl (Alma). They’re now without a home after it was destroyed, and no access to food, drinkable water, medicine, or shelter.

Also, we’ve tragically lost over 30 beloved family members including innocent children, women, and elderly individuals. Last week our hearts were shattered again as we lost 5 more souls from a single family who were tragically martyred in a house bombing. Their memory will forever remain in our hearts.

This is our 6-story family home in the north of Gaza, Alkarama neighborhood. Once was a place filled with memories and shared experiences, now levelled to the ground, and lies as a symbol of indiscriminate destruction in this war. For over 3 decades, we built this home, and within its walls, we created a haven of happiness and togetherness for 5 interconnected families including my parents, brothers, sisters, and their loved ones. Now, with its destruction, we found ourselves not only left without shelter but also robbed of our history, heritage, and the very foundation upon which our lives were built around.

My brother's business store in Gaza, following the bombing, has shattered him. Over 15 years, he poured his heart and soul into building his business, only to see it vanish into dust and debris.

This is my father's travel company, which he built over 30 years. It stood as a symbol of his hard work and dedication, offering a livelihood for our family. Yet, it was reduced to rubble by an airstrike on a neighbouring bakery store.

In the first days of the war, every member of our family was forced to flee from our homes in the north to seek refuge in the south of Gaza during nonstop bombardment. Abandoning everything they owned, their priority was the safety of their lives and the well-being of their loved ones. Yet, they were faced with the reality that there was no safe haven in any of the places claimed to be safe. Each day a battle for survival, as the danger loomed over their heads. Forced multiple times to move from one location to another under heavy air strikes, encroachment of army tanks, and the looming presence of soldiers. They took refuge in Khan Yunis for a little while, south of Gaza. However, their breather short-lived as the city soon fell under invasion. Sensing the imminent danger, my family made a timely escape, mere hours before the invasion. With a stroke of luck, they managed to reach Rafah.

Currently, my family members find themselves among over 200 people crammed into a single house. Tragically, overcrowded in a small space with no access to basic necessities such as sufficient food, clean water, and essential medicines. The absence of proper sanitation facilities exacerbates the dire situation, leaving the vulnerable children particularly susceptible to illness and disease. Each passing day brings new health challenges, as preventable illnesses spread unchecked, placing the lives of the youngest members of our family at grave risk.

I humbly appeal to those who can lend a helping hand to support the people in desperate need of assistance. The challenges faced by my family and countless others in Gaza demand our collective compassion and generosity. Even the smallest gesture of support can make a profound difference in alleviating their suffering and offering hope for a better tomorrow.

Therefore, we are striving to raise USD 58,000 to evacuate my family from Gaza to Egypt for a temporary refuge. Unfortunately, we don’t have the money necessary to get them out of Gaza through Rafah crossing border. Each person requires between $5000 to $7000 for Egyptian border crossing, placing a burden of expenses on the shoulders of the families, from exorbitant Egyptian border crossing fees to transportation costs, accommodation, and living expenses to the daunting challenge of the first two months’ settlement in Cairo. This was my last resort to getting the financial aid to make sure that my family live to see another day. Here are my family members I plan to evacuate:

My brother Ahmad abumathkour and his wife Taghreed Abumathkour along with their children Kamal and Alma Abumathkour. My brothers widow Kareemah Abumathkour along with her children Hasan, Aboud, Sarah, Huda, Awad, Hala, and Maryam Abumathkour.

For transparency, here is the breakdown of the fund that will cover these essential expenses;

Your generous contributions will enable my family to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

Please share this message with your friends and colleagues, and let’s unite to bring my family to safety. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for standing with us during this difficult time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Alaa Abumathkour