Help Refaat who lost his children and wife in Gaza

Hi everyone.

Im Khalid El-Astal, Palestinian Irish writing from Dublin

I was born in Ireland , but raised and lived most of my life in Gaza Palestine.

In the 23 of October my mom Hanaa and my brother Majed were killed by an airstrike on my family's place in khanyounes, my lovely beautiful wife Ashwah was terribly injured with 70% burned body and face , she passed away after suffering for 10 days at the first of November 2023 .

I have two children, Ali 4 and Sara 1 who were injured but thanks god that they are now safe with me in dublin ..

My interview in BBC Northern Ireland

Irish Times article

Im writing today to you , not to ask for a help for myself or my family, but to help someone who suffered more than me and deserves to be helped because of his unimaginable situation..

Refat Abu Shab is my closest friend, i always consider him more than my brother , we built our business in gaza together but didn't work because of the situation in gaza , we are both graphic designers sharing almost the same interests.

Nagham and my son Ali when they were 2

Refaat had two children who are the same age as mine, we both decided to have children at the same time . His lovely daughter Nagham was 4 and his adorable son Amir was 1 .

In the 11 of October Refaat left his children with his wife Rawan 29 playing in their backyard with his father , to sleep for 1 hour before taking them to his wife's family's place in Rafah which is in the south of gaza strip and suppuse to much be safe , after 30 min he just waked up on the terrific airstrike sound running down the stairs to find his children died bodies and his wife Rawan All lying down with no life , his favorite sister Ola was killed as will , she was very close to us both since she had just graduated as an app developer and helped us with many projects before.

Refaat's father was terribly injured and lost his arm , staying at hospital ( in the same room beside my wife Ashwak) before he die after.

Refaat is now in Rafah with his mom, 3 brothers and 2 sisters . Sheltering the streets and they can't even find clean water of normal food to eat .

I lost my family , and didn't stop thinking about my loss, especially Ashwak, the light of my life and the mother of my two children. But my priority now is Refaat and his family, since he suffered more than me and still suffering until now , ALONE with no one who can take care of him.

Im really worried about his mental health and psychological situation, every time i got a minute to contact him, he break my heart into million pieces.

Im starting this fundraise to raise money helping Refaat and his family getting enough food and clothes, and the most important part that i will be doing everything to bring refaat out gaza , and working to get him a Visa to join me in Dublin, since im the only one he have now .

All money will be spent on :

1- food and clothes for Refaat and his family now .

2- getting Refaat and his family outside Gaza to a safe place as soon as possible.

3- working on anyway to get him a Visa to join me in dublin, since i know im the only one who can support him.

4- helping Refaat start his life again , convincing him that their still things can be done and deserve to live for in this world.

I will appreciate any help from any kind, even prayers are enough if you cant afford to donate.

Pray for my wife, brother, mom , Refaat's family and All people who are suffering.

Khalid