Help me get my 14 family members out of Gaza!

UPDATE: Thankfully with your help, it was finally possible for me to evacuate my family to Egypt. However, with that comes another challenge that we have to endure. Living abroad after losing everything comes at its own cost, especially because we are building our lives from the ground up. We now need your help to secure the living expenses for the first few months until we are settled and able to capitalize on our strengths and skills again.

Hello, my name is Khalid Abushammala (Instagram), and I am urgently reaching out with a plea from the bottom of my heart. My journey growing up amidst the turmoil of Gaza has been marked by both survival and loss. While I now live in the UAE, my 14 family members are still in Gaza, and I need your help getting them out, and granting them passage to Egypt.

I am advocating and raising funds for the safety and well-being of my 14 family members. My mother, 4 siblings, their wives, and their children—9 in total. Each one, like Salma pictured at the head of this campaign, deserves a chance at experiencing a normal and peaceful childhood.

Your donation, no matter the size, holds the key to reuniting my family in a place of safety and security. The funds raised will facilitate their journey out of Gaza, covering the expenses incurred at the border and in Egypt. To ensure their safe passage, I must secure approximately $8,000 (£ 6,300) per person to be paid to Egyptian authorities. Additionally, these funds will support their travel and provide temporary housing in Egypt.

In Gaza, every necessity has become beyond expensive, even the invaluable cost of one's own life. Each contribution will ultimately bring us closer to granting my family safe passage from Gaza to Egypt.

It's IMPORTANT to note that Miriam, one of my closest friends from work residing in the UK, will be facilitating the transfer of funds directly to me. As you will see below, she is the beneficiary, and I am the organizer. This is necessary because GoFundMe does not operate in the United Arab Emirates, where I currently live. Miriam's assistance ensures that your contributions reach me securely, allowing us to proceed with our mission of aiding my family in Gaza.

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Imagine enduring over 120 days of relentless bombing, where each moment carries the weight of uncertainty and fear of death at any moment. That's the reality 2.5 million Palestinans in Gaza have lived and are continuing to live everyday.

Along with the 1.2 million people in Rafah, my family are currently residing there, huddled in a makeshift shelter, 14 people in 1 tent, in the peak of winter. There is no further south to travel to anymore. Every "safe area" is now threatened. They have nowhere left to turn to and are forced to leave behind everything they've ever known.

The Israeli attacks have killed nearly 27,500 people. There are about 100,000 people in Gaza who have been killed, injured or are missing.

The simple joys of life, like sharing a meal together, a clean bathroom, sleeping in a bed, a home, have become distant dreams overshadowed by the harsh realities of this genocide. Each day is a battle for the basics—water, food, and shelter—all while navigating the constant threat of daily Israeli air strikes, a ground invasion, and a humanitarian crisis.

My youngest sister, Raghad, is a symbol of resilience. Despite the chaos surrounding her, she finds happiness and joy in comforting a cat she saved, a testament to her unwavering compassion and kindness. Her dreams of becoming a scientist still exist and shine brighter than ever, even amidst this darkness.

I hope you will consider donating and helping my family leave Gaza for a better, safe, and secure future.

Please contact me here or on my provided Instagram above if you have any questions or need any additional information.

Thank you...