TIME IS RUNNING OUT - WE CAN STILL RESCUE MY MOTHER, FATHER, SISTERS, BROTHERS, AND 20 NEPHEWS AND NIECES FROM GAZA.

My wife and I appeal to you today to help collect funds to get my family out of Gaza and out of harm’s way. The atrocious war on the Gaza strip is now in its 6th month, and the war drums are rolling for a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah city where my mother, father, brothers, sisters, and 20 nephews and nieces live. The result of any Israeli attack on the city will be catastrophic at best. I cannot fathom the notion of losing more of my loved ones.

Who you can save:

My family consists of my father and mother (both suffer from chronic illness, including a heart condition, diabetes, and limited mobility due to knee ailments). I have 6 siblings (Sameer, Samar, Ahmad, Najat, Hasan, and Naseem). They are all married and have their own families. I have 20 nephews and nieces aging between 8 months and 18 years old (Malak, Shahed, Yazan, Ghena, Mohammed, Hosam, Lama, Layan, Salem, Tala, Qusai, Kenan, Kenda, Linda, Cidra, Jood, Juana, Karim, and Lena.) Altogether, my family is 33 people. They were 34, but my three-year-old niece Lana was killed in an airstrike at the New Year. My youngest niece, Lena, is still breastfeeding. She and her mother are at acute risk from lack of food and water. We have already lost a large number of close members of extended family due to airstrikes on my uncles’ and aunts’ homes, as well as my cousins, on both my mother and father's sides of the family. Many of them I grew up with and were more like brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers.

Some of my nephews and nieces have just finished high school and were about to start college last September, others were about to start high school, and others were about to start primary school. They all did very well in school, because my parents always taught us the importance of education. Now their future is on hold indefinitely, their livelihood is obliterated, and their childhood is gone. I am terrified of the amount of trauma that my nephews and nieces have gone through thus far. Their parents are also traumatized but they have to put on a strong persona so as not to collapse. Acting this way for over 6 months takes a toll on one’s psyche. They all deserve better, like any other human in the world.

My wife and I have been sending money to them for the past 6 months, but with the prices of food, water, and all other life necessities skyrocketing, we are reaching the maximum of our financial abilities, hence our appeal to you to help us ensure their health and safety through this nightmare.

They did not want to evacuate to stand their ground against Israel’s attempts to erase and displace them from their homes. However, seeing how the war is unfolding, the choice now is not between leaving or staying but between leaving or dying. It is paramount now to get them out of there to safety.

With this, I am asking you, my friends and community, along with whoever is willing to support this fund, to contribute to this fundraiser with however much you can, and to share it widely with your own family, friends, and network. I still believe that people have the power to help each other in time of crisis, in whatever way they can big or small. Your help will go a very long way for us.

The current situation of starvation and looming death:

My niece Lana, 3 years old, was killed in an airstrike along with my sister’s father- and mother-in-law. Lana was filled with life and joy. She had the most beautiful smile, and now she is gone. Whenever I think of her, I keep blaming myself for not spending more time with her. I cannot even describe the pain my sister lives through every day being reminded that this angel is mercilessly killed by the Israeli war machine. It genuinely hurts whenever I see a child walking down the street with their parents feeling safe, and I am reminded that my loved ones deserve the same. One of my nieces asked her mum about Eid after Ramadan “Is there going to be Eid or did the Israeli F-16 kill it?”. No child should ever know what an F-16 jet-fighter is.

My sweet Lana- May she rest in heaven.

I haven’t seen my family in 8 years and only last year did I get to see them briefly right before the beginning of Ramadan of 2023. It was the first time I felt truly alive. I was excited by the fact of seeing them during this year’s Ramadan. It would also have been finally the moment my wife would meet them in person. Now, I do not know if I will ever see them again. I cannot bear thinking that last year would be my last time I would see my family. I want to see them, hold them, and tell them how much I love and miss them.

Hearing news of close relatives, friends, former colleagues being killed in airstrikes is soul crushing. Memories are being erased and tainted with blood every day. I cannot explain the feeling of opening social media and recognizing the faces of the dead and the grieving, and of not recognizing all of the places that I spent most of my life in and still feel like home (my university, my neighbor’s house, my regular walking routes, my favorite falafel place). Every day is a roller-coaster of not knowing who is next.

How you can help us save them:

Your donations will cover coordination costs to cross into Egypt. As you may probably be already aware of the expensive cost to get each person across the border and to safety, here is the breakdown:

● 21 adults: (6,000 USD each): 126,000

● 12 minors: (3,000 USD each): 36,000

● Travel expenses and temporary housing in Egypt for 33 family members: 35,000

Every contribution counts towards their safety. I am desperately reaching out because I want to save my loved ones and be able to see them again. We have run out of other options and we urgently need your help.

We also ask that you please share with your family, friends, and social network. Thank you in advance for hearing our plea, and for your humanity, compassion, and action.

N.B: GOFUNDME takes an administrative fee (2.9% + $0.30per contribution).