Help Malik and Youssef to safety

I am Maher Hilles, a grieving father from Gaza now living in Spain. I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a plea for help. On December 25th, tragedy struck my family in the cruelest of ways. My beloved daughter, Alia Hilles, was taken from us in a senseless act of violence. After being displaced many times since the beginning of the current war, she and her two children were taking shelter in a tent in the area of Gaza like thousands of refugee families.

They didn’t have any food to eat the night before, and they had no blankets to keep them warm, so she hugged the children to keep them warm. She sang softly to distract them from the explosions at that time. They spent the night cold, hungry, and in fear because of the bombings. When the morning came, she went out to look for food and blankets. While Alia was out searching in the streets of Gaza one morning, she was shot by an Israeli sniper. Why he aimed at her remains a mystery to us. She was an innocent woman, not posing any threat, carrying nothing suspicious. The bullet pierced her hand and torso, and concerned bystanders rushed her to Al-Shafaa Hospital. Despite their efforts, the hospital's lack of medical supplies and doctors led to her tragic death after four hours of bleeding.

Left behind are her two precious children, Malik, aged 6, and Yousef, aged 4. These children have endured unimaginable hardships due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They have witnessed the destruction of their home, the loss of their mother to senseless violence, and the uncertainty surrounding their missing father. The constant fear of bombings and unrest haunts them every day. Currently, they seek refuge in a school, where dire conditions prevail—lack of clean water, food scarcity, and the looming threat of disease.

I have created this GoFundMe to help Halik and Youssef reach me Maher Hilles in Spain. The cost of leaving Gaza and traveling to Spain with an adult relative who is currently taking care of the children is $25,000. Unfortunately, their father has been missing since the war's onset, with no current information on his whereabouts. As a father, my heart breaks knowing the hardships my grandchildren endure. Hence, I am reaching out to you for support.

Every contribution, regardless of size, will significantly impact the lives of these two innocent children. Please consider donating to our cause and sharing this campaign with your networks. Your support is invaluable and will bring hope to Malik and Yousef's lives. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.