Support Abed and His Family in Gaza

Abed is a young football player from Gaza. He once dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, but the war changed everything. Now, his dream is something much simpler: to get the treatment and surgery he needs to adapt to his injury. His current medical condition requires another operation, but in the midst of this war, getting that kind of care is nearly impossible.

He told us how his family and friends have been doing their best to comfort and support him. We just hope that the world can now stand with him too, and show him the care and solidarity he truly deserves.

My name is Margot Mathews and I live in New York. I heard about Abed and his brother Ahmed's story from my friends Alexia and Yasemin, who know each other through soccer. Here is Abed in his own words:

"My name is Abed, I am 17 years old. I live with my family of 8 members under the war and difficult conditions. Life has become extremely hard and deadly because of the great danger my family and I were exposed to in Gaza City, which led to us being targeted by warplanes.

I suffered a very serious injury — the amputation of my left leg, the one I used to rely on, fulfill my needs, and play with my friends. Now, I live in a deep state of depression because of what I went through, as if I want it all to just end. But I still hope that there is a glimmer of light at the end of this road, getting a prosthetic leg to be able to walk again.

However, that doesn’t bring back the dream I was pursuing, football , my passion and dream that collapsed in a single moment.

Please, my friends, you are my only hope in helping me move again."

This week, I had the pleasure of video chatting with the brothers (with Yasemin's help and translation). They both have beautiful smiles and a palpable love for one another. They spoke of the life they remember and dreams they yearn for which feel impossible under the current conditions. Their family's home in Rafah was destroyed, and they lost all of their possessions. Abed needs another surgery before he can be fitted for a prosthetic leg, something that is currently impossible to find in Gaza. The brothers told me that they have no access to food, which is prohibitively expensive. American aid has proven extremely dangerous to attain - Ahmed tried to get flour from an aid truck for his family, returned empty handed, and nearly died in the process. They are hungry, and Abed in particular needs nourishment so that his amputated leg can heal properly. He is forced to adjust to his new body without any medication or painkillers. They are currently displaced in Khan Younis, but they dream of living with their entire family in Rafah again, with normalcy and joy. Please help Ahmed, Abed, and their family raise money for food, medicine, and other basic goods in Gaza. I will share your donations with the brothers through Paypal. Anything you contribute will help a beautiful family survive a devastating siege and eventually to rebuild their shattered lives.