The Harara family - Israa (27), Ahmed (38), Ward (9) and Ziad (7) - are relatives of our good friend Moe who lives in Amman, Jordan. They are a young family of four who have been forced to move from their destroyed home in the North of Gaza to Rafah, the area currently under bombardment by Israel. Gonzalo and I are the same age as Ahmed and we cannot fathom what they have been through, we feel it could easily be us had we been born elsewhere - we want to help them flee Gaza to safety.'

The Harara family - photo taken in late April 2024 - just before they fled Rafah again due to bombardment by Israeli forces.

Young Ward, Ziad & Israa in their home.

Prior to Oct 7, the Ahmed worked as a civil engineer, had two apartments and ran a training centre. He was able to provide for his family but now they go many days without food due to the Israel's blockage of aid into Gaza. Ward, their 9 year old daughter, has written her story which our friend kindly translated into English:

"Among thousands of tragic stories, one stands out, belonging to me. My name is Ward Harara. Here is my painful story. I am 9 years old. My father offered me the best possible means for pursuing my dream of good student, so this filled me with enthusiasm and joy. I was also overwhelmed with other activities like singing, drawing, and swimming. My life was full of joy and warmth until the seventh of October 2023, when everything went horribly different.

Ward Harara, 9 years old

On the 25th of October, my grandparents' house was destroyed while and since then, I have been suffering from a nervous breakdown. My father lost his source of income when his business, became a mass of rubble. But miraculously, my family and I survived death.

Before and After - The remains of the Harara family home in Al-Shuja'iyya, Gaza

Ward, Israa and Ahmed searching through the remains of their beautiful home - Ward found her doll 18 months later.

Israeli airstrikes and bombardments caused panic for me and my family. We couldn't bear the sound of huge explosions, which sounded like repeated earthquakes and red flames engulfing the area. We were forced to displace to the south of Gaza as the Israeli forces commanded, leaving our lovely apartments. We went to the UN refugee school in Rafah area to escape the horror and death. We stumbled into a different life filled with suffering from every side, living the hell of the most painful war. I contracted a skinny disease due to polluted water, lack of cleanliness, and the spread of infectious diseases, and there is no suitable medicine.

Ward and Ahmed, her dad, in Rafah

The situation is catastrophic. "Nothing left in Gaza but death. Even death has become a privilege because it provides a sense of comfort." My little brother Ziad and I begged my father to travel outside Gaza, but it was very hard since it's been very costly, and my father lost all his properties during the war, including his training center and his two apartments, which were totally destroyed. So he has nothing to help us travel outside Gaza, and there is no safe place in Gaza strip.

I pray each moment for an end to this war and for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is not just a plea; it is a desperate cry for an end to the helplessness and hopelessness that pervades every corner. We escape death every day and then wake up the next morning to try to escape it once again. My heart is heavy, unable to handle the recurring nightmares, overwhelming flood of news of blood, loss, destruction, and despair pouring in from Gaza. Every single minute feels like a struggle. No one should have to endure this.

Ahmed (left) and Ward (far back) outside their tent in Rafah

Bombings continue in southern Gaza. Residential blocks in Khan Yunis are being carpet-bombed. Everyone is unsafe, believing they could be the next to face tragedy. Telecommunications are cut off. We are exhausted and can't bear more tragedies and losses. Then we were forced to displace to Rafah to escape death once more from Khan Yunis. We are currently living in a hand-made tent near a cemetery where the smell of death is everywhere. My poor father notices our pale faces and weak bodies while he stands helpless to do anything due to a lack of money and resources..

Ziad so happy to eat bread after donations were able to buy the family dinner.

I am still nine years old, and I never thought I would witness an attack so cruel, with such utter disregard for basic human values. I am deprived of the main rights, including education and health. I need to rebuild my shattered life outside of Gaza with my family and to help us have better healthcare and to travel to Egypt. That will cost at least $20,000 just to get out of Gaza so we can dream to follow our rights to have a better educational system and healthcare."

Ahmed Ziyad Muhammad Harara (38 years)

Israa Harara (27 years)

Ward Harara (9 years)

Ziad Harara (7 years)