Hello, dear friends in the free world,

We are a small family residing in Gaza. I am Nidal, a poet and writer. My wife, Asmaa, who recently gave birth to our newborn, Kanaan, amidst the harsh and dehumanizing conditions of displacement. Adam, our older child, who would be in his fourth grade if it were not for this ongoing war.

And there is my sister, Shahed, who suffers the most since she has been battling with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a rare and dangerous disease that gradually cause damage to the nerve tissue in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to complete paralysis.

(https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS)

This war has been a catastrophe for her health. Now, whenever she is overwhelmed with fear or sorrow, we witness the left side of her body being paralyzed for a distressing ten minutes! The relentless bombardments and devastation are not merely confined to buildings and homes; they are ravaging her brain and body from within. Her doctor emphasized that to reduce relapses and delay progression of disability, it is vital to minimize her exposure to stressors and to commit to treatment in form of three weekly injections called Rebif. Unfortunately, these two simple requirements are now impossible here in Gaza. Even before this hell outbreak, the treatment was barely accessible, as it is too expensive, costing around $100 per injection.

The harsh reality now is that we are between the jaws of a pliers, unable to leave Gaza yet unable to stay. Even if the war were to cease, there would be little left; the city has become uninhabitable. The latest departing friend from Khan Younis informed me that a squad of IOF soldiers is taking our rooftop as their fort. What a tragic news! It has become known to everyone here that whenever the army leaves a house, they either completely demolish it or, at the very least, set it on fire.

* I have wrote about this in a post on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/nidalalfqaawy?mibextid=ZbWKwL)

Indeed, two days ago, another friend of mine, who works as a paramedic, managed to send me a video showing my house and it was completely burned, along with my “poetry retreat”— my writing room that I spent the past two years building.

All we are desperate for is escaping this hell by any means possible, but it seems that leaving is closer to impossible due to the enforced closure of the Rafah crossing that only opens for those who can afford to pay around $6000 per person! Sadly, this is the reality, the ugly truth that we’re forced to swallow.

Amidst this bleakness, there remains a glimmer of hope. It lies in the kindness and generosity of individuals like you, who understand that humanity knows no bounds or borders. Your support, whether through donations, spreading our plea, or offering words of solidarity, breathes life into our hope.

Thanks to you and to our friend Maryam, who is helping us organize this fundraiser,

Nidal & Family