Help Me to Rescue My Family from the War in Gaza

Hello,

My name is Ahmed Shaqfa, a Palestinian from Gaza. I am a water and environmental engineer. In 2022, I was awarded a scholarship to pursue my doctoral studies in Germany, seeking better opportunities for myself and my family after completing my undergraduate studies amidst challenging living conditions in Gaza and a lack of hope and ambition. My family consists of my mother, Hanaa, and my younger siblings: Doha, Doaa, Alaa, and Basil. Additionally, I have three married sisters – Ibtesam, who is a mother to an 8-month-old baby named Ibrahim, Sahar, who is a mother to a 2-month-old baby named Ibrahim, and Abeer, who is a mother to a 5-year-old son named Ali and a 1-month-old baby named Zain.

After the recent attack on Gaza, our family's life has been plunged into tragedy. My father, Mohammed, the main provider for our household, was killed in an Israeli airstrike while he was out buying essential items. Our hopes and dreams were shattered that day by a missile that mercilessly ended his life.

My father endured a life filled with hardships, beginning with the loss of his parents in the 1967 war, thrusting him into the role of an orphaned son responsible for supporting his family. Despite his own challenges, he placed great importance on our education, tirelessly motivating us to excel academically and pursue our dreams. I cannot overlook his struggles and sacrifices, and now I find myself trapped in an unbearable predicament.

Three months after my father's tragic death, our family witnessed a horrifying attack targeting the home of my sisters Sahar and Ibtesam, transforming it into a scene of devastation and death in Khan Younis. My sister Ibtesam lost her beloved husband, Abdullah Al Uwainy, in a heart-wrenching moment of impact from a rocket shell. In a desperate bid to save his brother Abdullah's life, Sahar’s husband, Hussam Al Uwainy, was fatally shot, losing his life as well. After enduring three harrowing days under total siege inside their demolished home, my sisters Sahar and Ibtesam, through extraordinary efforts, managed to evacuate with their infants despite the threat of weapons, trekking long distances until they reached our family's home in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, where they are still under Israeli bombardment.

My elder sister, Abeer, also works in the fields of translation and journalism. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in sustainability economics, she endured significant hardship after her husband, Hassan Al Goul, was detained while working as a nurse at Nasser Hospital. Abeer faced the daunting task of giving birth to her infant son, Zain, alone in her husband's absence, and she also had to conceal from her five-year-old son, Ali, the reason for his father's absence despite his persistent inquiries about his whereabouts.

My sister, Doha, harbored dreams of completing a master’s degree in Arabic language after graduating with distinction and securing a teaching position. However, her aspirations were dashed as her focus shifted to comforting our other siblings during the relentless bombardments.

Recently graduating with honors in Accounting, my sister, Doaa, managed to join a graduate training program at a major telecommunications company in Gaza after considerable effort. However, even this modest hope quickly dissipated with the onset of the war and the extensive damage inflicted upon this company and others in the private sector in Gaza. The same holds true for my sister, Alaa, who recently graduated from the Faculty of Information Technology. She had begun seeking employment opportunities even before completing her studies by enrolling in intensive training courses during her university years.

As for my younger brother, Basil, he was compelled to halt his education owing to the harsh conditions of the war. His educational future remains uncertain due to the destruction of infrastructure and the conversion of all schools into shelters for displaced persons.

Our Plan:

Extract my family from Gaza.

Reside in Egypt.

Explore job opportunities in Egypt.

Breakdown of Expenses:

- Visa application fees: €300 per person (a total of €3600 for 12 family members)

- Passport fees: €135 per person (a total of €1620 for 12 family members)

- Rafah/Egypt crossing: €5,000 per person (a total of €60,000 for 12 family members).

- €10,000 for living and accommodation costs for util my family can find job opportunities in Egypt.

Total : €75,220

This challenging situation has compelled me to seek assistance, as I cannot bear to witness my family suffer alone. I am reaching out today to request your generous support in providing $75,220 to evacuate them to a safe haven in Egypt, where they can find solace and recuperate from the ravages of war. Please, do not let me face these hardships alone. Aid me in rebuilding my family's life and overcoming these dire circumstances. This is not a fictional story; it is the stark reality where the innocent endure the consequences of wars and attacks. I implore your help in alleviating my family's suffering and securing a brighter future for them.

Thank you very much,

Ahmed Shaqfa