Pull A’eds family from the brink of starvation

Aleksandra Andjelkovic is organizing this fundraiser.

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Pull A’eds family from the brink of starvation

We are fundraising on behalf of Aed, a married 33-year old with with three daughters — Linda (6 years old), Sarah (5 years old), Mirna (2 years old) and another child on the way. A’ed is now also taking care of his sister’s family, which includes three further children — Fadi (10), Mohamed (7), and Ali (5), following the killing of their father a few days ago.

We will get to the chase: the family is going hungry, rationing small amounts of food to keep them going. They have already been displaced more than 15 times. The family lost their livelihood due to the bombing of the university, as well as all their property and possessions. A’ed’s wife has a benign tumor in her thyroid gland, and has also been injured during the conflict. A’ed’s sister was struck with shrapnel, which remains lodged in one of her lungs and cannot be removed due to the lack of available healthcare facilities. A rudimentary external container was connected to her body to stop the internal bleeding, allowing the blood to flow from her chest into the container so she doesn't die.

The family are a proud people, not used to asking for help. In A’ed’s words, We are a people of dignity and honour [meaning, they are not people who ordinarily ask for help from others], but the days have been harsh to us”. Prior to the war, A’ed previously worked as an administrator at Palestine University having previously graduated from Al-Aqsa University with a degree in Business Administration.

A’ed’s needs in their own words: “I hope to provide food and flour for my daughters and my sister and her orphaned children, purchase a suitable tent for them, as well as buy diapers, milk, medicine, clothes, and shoes”

These are some of the messages we received from A’ed, which can paint a better image of the haunting situation than anything we can write.

“Here in Gaza, we lost everything. My daughter cries from the lack of food. We can’t find anything to feed her and if we do we try and hide [keep] it for the next day.”

"I have three daughters and my wife is pregnant and needs medical treatment. My youngest daughter needs diapers. My family - my sister - is now my responsibility. The father of her children was martyred and her children are with me, as shown in the video."

Israel’s siege has meant that prices for basic items have skyrocketed due to the scale of demand. So long as Israel keeps aid out, we need as many donations as possible to keep people such as A’ed alive. When asked on prices, A’ed responded:

“I mean, flour costs approximately $40 per kilogram. Sugar costs $60 per kilogram. A pack of diapers costs $50. Thyme costs $40 to $50 per kilogram. One onion costs approximately $20. Garlic, if available, costs $40 per head. Baby milk costs at least $50, if it's available and can be found. One watermelon costs approximately $40. A carton of eggs alone costs over $100, which means each egg costs $5. I'm not even talking to you about basic necessities and healthy food like fish or chicken because they're not available. And believe me, these prices aren't exaggerated on my part - you can ask around and verify.

I need 4 kilograms of flour per day for all of us together - me, my sister, and our children. Their price is 320 shekels. That's bread for two days if we want to eat bread. But if it works out for me, I'll make them last me four or five days instead of two. We'll divide the bread - half a loaf per day for each person.

Or I can get lentils as a substitute for bread and gain more days.

These days, if I get bread, I eat half a loaf or a quarter, and usually I don't eat bread these days - I stay hungry.

Praise be to God in all circumstances.”

The family has also been left sleeping in the outdoors without shelter.

"Our women slept in the streets - we were forced to sleep in the streets during times when we couldn't find shelter. The strong eat the weak, and whoever has nothing faces unimaginable humiliation. Death would have been the better choice, but we didn't get it.

The things I've been exposed to and am still being exposed to are not easy. It's good that I still have my sanity."

—

Today (22 May), we received the following message:

"A little while ago, an evacuation notice came down for the north as well.There's no safe place.

They tell us to go south and they bomb us everywhere.

And death is easier. If we die, we'll find rest.

We're in an endless series of suffering and no one will feel for us.

I swear to God, I think this way so we can all rest together. And no one stays alone. And we all agreed on this.

God is sufficient for us and He is the best disposer of affairs.

God willing, we'll remain patient and may God forgive us and have mercy on us and you. And as for me, I swear to God, I feel like we're heading into the black unknown.

God knows what will happen to us."

Following reports that some aid has entered southern Gaza [22/05/2025], A’ed reported that this has not extended to northern Gaza.

"The north until now effectively hasn't had anything enter it.

Nothing enters except bombing haha, and machine guns, shooting from the sea warships, and aviation of all types, and from tanks.

There's a small aircraft called a 'quad copter.' This aircraft comes late at night and produces annoying and frightening sounds through loudspeakers to scare people. And the aircraft itself can shoot at anyone and kill them while they're sleeping.”

"It's okay, man, it's okay haha. I wish there would be a strike—we’d have reached the end haha"

Eventually, the first donation reached the family.

Following the receipt of the first donation, A’ed reported:

“God willing,

Today we bought 6 cans of hummus in the morning for breakfast because it's the cheapest available. But usually in the morning the phone is off and we go to put it on the alternative energy charger, and they [likely referring to aid distributors or communication] are available from 9 AM onward.

We also bought 4 kilos of flour, pasta for lunch, firewood and a lighter, a small pack of tomato paste just enough for the meal, and a bit of sesame oil (sirj) just enough for cooking. I filmed them in a video and sent it to you.

And everything I buy, I write it down on paper.”

Next day: “"I sent you pictures — today I bought sandals (may God honor you), as well as the beans. as well as canned meat and tuna and a bit of firewood."

After their first meal from the first donation, A’en sent the following:

"May God feed you from the fruits of Paradise and give you a drink after which you will never feel thirst again — you and everyone who contributed."

"Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, for this generosity. And thank God that He sent you to us. May God grant you happiness, and I pray to Almighty God to protect you, your family, your loved ones, and to raise your status and honor.

By God, we’ve started eating at 100% now. Just so you know, before this we used to eat at only 30 or 40%."

"God willing, may your trade be successful, and blessed be what you have invested in us. God willing, this money and this food will be an intercessor and a witness for you on the Day of Judgment — as will our young ones and our elders."

Update: 26/5/25

“Peace be upon you. Today is the 26th of May 2025. The situation here continues to deteriorate. I am seeking to set up a tent for my sister. The situation here is extremely difficult, prices are astronomical. Even flour is something we can’t manage to afford”]

When our coordinators responded the next day, A’ed responded:

“Honestly, I got a bit overwhelmed. I need to find a tent for my other sister. All my sisters' homes were bombed. Thank God I managed to find her a place, but I still haven’t found a tent.

“The tents are expensive these days—around 1000 shekels. Some of my sisters who stayed in Jabalia left without anything at all. They lost all their belongings, really.

“I need a tent, mattresses, and blankets—but the most important thing is the tent. I don’t know what might be available. Anything is a blessing. God is great.

And forgive me”

29 May

“We’re back to starvation”