Hi, I’m Mark, I’m a friend of Mahmoud's (22), the older brother of Shaded (18), Tala (16) and Dareen (11) who are currently struggling to survive in Gaza. They've lost everything; their family home, their livelihoods, relatives. But mostly heartbreakingly of all, their young sister, Sally (9), was taken from them in August this year (2025), killed by a bomb dropped by the occupation.

Their story is one of grief and constant displacement. Having lived their whole lives in the North, they have had to flee south to escape the encroaching Israeli army and the constant threat of death. Now they struggle to survive in a refugee camp in Central Gaza; sleeping 5 in a tent, struggling to afford to buy whatever food remains on sale in the local markets. Dareen has a serious jaw injury, kept stable with a device that is falling apart. She is constantly in pain and needs surgery. Even water is costly where they live. And now, to make matters even worse, the overcrowded land on which they pitched their family tent is no longer free. They have had expensive rental fees of 1200 Israeli Sheckles a month imposed on them by the landlord. If they are unable to pay, they will be removed from the land and made homeless once again. Suffice to say, they are suffering greatly.

Mahmoud ventures back into the dangerous zones of the North to volunteer at a hospital. To help his fellow Palestinians, but also to sell most of the food given to him as a volunteer, to go towards paying for his sister's treatment and paying the rent. Their father cannot help him as he has a chronic back injury from before the war.

I'm hosting this fundraiser to support this beautiful family during the hardest time of their lives. Every single cent of your donations goes directly to them so that they may support themselves and survive.

And now, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Mahmoud...

Meet Mahmoud

My name is Mahmoud, I’m 22 years old, and I live in Gaza. Since the war began, my family has lost everything: our home was destroyed, my parents lost their jobs, and all we have left is each other.

I am the eldest, caring for my younger siblings (aged 11 and 16). Every day I try to protect them, feed them, and comfort them as bombs fall around us.

Most days we have nothing but a little bread if we are lucky. We wait for aid that often never arrives. I often go to bed hungry so my siblings can eat instead.

Our nights are dark and frightening, with no electricity, no safety.

I’m not asking for comfort. I’m asking for survival.

How You Can Help

Your support can make the difference between despair and survival:

Donate: Even $5 brings us closer to food, medicine, and urgently needed surgery for my little sister, who has a medical device fitted to stop her jaw from collapsing.

Share: If you can’t give, please spread our story. You may reach someone who can.

Act Now: Every day matters. Your help today means my siblings eat tonight.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Mahmoud & family