Help Hasan's Family Escape Gaza

I’m Mimi Kirk, from Washington, DC. Several weeks ago I was put in touch with Hasan Alsayed’s sister, Iman, and her husband because they had lost their home in Gaza City and were struggling terribly in Rafah, where they were staying with Hasan. I managed to send some funds to Iman and wished I could do more. Last week I was devastated to learn that Iman, her husband, and their four children, as well as Iman and Hasan’s mother, were killed in an Israeli strike on Hasan’s home. Hasan and his wife, Doaa, were the only survivors. I’m now trying to help Hasan and Doaa as well as Hasan's other sister and her family, including five children (three of whom are pictured) flee Gaza to Egypt.

Escape is expensive. There is an Egyptian travel company, Ya Hala, that arranges official papers and transportation. They charge $5,000 USD per person; Hasan, Doaa, and Hasan’s sister’s family total 9 people, so they are in need of $45,000 and are also hoping for $10,000 to rent an apartment and start a new life in Egypt. Anything you can spare will help! Please read below for Hasan’s story, in his words.

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I'm Hasan Alsayed, 33 years old, a Palestinian refugee living in Rafah, Gaza. I grew up with my mother Ibtisam and my two sisters, as my father was killed in the first intifada when I was less than two years old. I’ve always been the man responsible for my family. I always took care of my older sister Ayat and my younger sister Iman; I didn't want anything to happen to them and I never allowed anyone to make them upset. My mother Ibtisam was my closest friend.

Ayat got married and she now has five children: Hasan, Remas, Lamees, Lamar, and Mahmoud. Then Iman got married and had four of her own children: Taleen, Lana, Karam, and Alma. Seven years ago I also got married, to Doaa, and we wished to have children but we weren’t able to.

We lived with a lot of difficulty in Gaza but my sisters’ children were the best gift in this life.

With the recent attack on Gaza Iman fled from her house and came to live with us with her four children and her husband, Mohammed. We witnessed horrible days but got through them by supporting each other. All of Iman's children were close to my heart, and the closest was Alma. A few days ago at night while we were about to fall asleep our house was targeted and an Israeli bomb killed my mother, Iman and Mohammed, and their four children. Doaa and I were the only ones to survive.

Missing them is breaking my heart and my soul is in pieces. I never thought I would witness such a horrible and unbearable catastrophe in my life.

I have decided to try to leave Gaza with my wife and Ayat and her family. We feel we must flee to seek survival. It is my hope that compassionate and generous individuals like you will come together to support us. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will have a great impact on us, morally and materially; it will not only provide us with a chance to live, but to rebuild our lives.

We will need $45,000 in order to flee to Egypt - $5,000 each for me, Doaa, Ayat and her husband Hani, and their five children. We are also asking for another $10,000 to then rent an apartment to shelter us until we find jobs and start again from zero. Asking for this support is difficult for us, but we have no other choice. I am so grateful in advance for any help, and I appreciate if you are able to share this campaign with your friends.