Ziad Family in Gaza needs your support

Khetam and her family of 11, who live in Al-Bureij, central Gaza, have been tremendously impacted by the ongoing genocide in Palestine. They lost their father during an airstrike in 2023, which also destoyed their home, and the shop and hairdressing business that they ran. Khetam’s oldest brother, Ali, was severely injured by an airstrike, and is now in need of an urgent hip replacement surgery.

Before the war, members of the family worked in construction, food retail, and hairdressing. Two of them were studying nursing and the rest were in school, or dedicated to caring for the household.

“We lived modestly, but we had dreams. Each of us was walking a path toward a better future… but when the war broke out, everything changed. Our dreams were shattered, our lives overturned. Today… we live with no income, no access to adequate medical care, no education, and no sense of safety. We are burdened with grief, pain, and uncertainty. Yet we try to hold on to hope and survive with dignity”.

The explosions which hit their home were catastrophic. Ali’s injuries include: a complex pelvic fracture, severe burns, and a partial loss of his right ankle. Despite multiple surgery attempts, the lack of medical care, food shortages, and harsh living conditions have made recovery nearly impossible. He needs urgent treatment to be able to stand again. Bashir (pictured) is 15, and suffered a skull fracture and broken leg, leaving shrapnel lodged in his body. He and all the family are having to endure immense physical and emotional pain.

The family is now homeless, without food or access to safe water. Their limited energy is spent filling and carrying buckets and containers from mobile water trucks, which are not always available, so they are going long periods without access to water.

“Sometimes, we wait for several days before we can get any. And even when we do, the water is often not safe to drink. It usually needs to be boiled or filtered - a process that requires electricity or fuel, both of which are scarce.”

The youngest children, who are still in elementary school are severely traumatized after witnessing the bombing and loss of their father. The family are concerned for their mental health and would like to seek psychological support to help them cope with the trauma.

This family needs your help and solidarity, the funds we raise will go towards:

Providing essential food, water, and clothing, medical treatment for Ali, psychological support for the children, repairs to their home, continued education for Mahdi and Mai, who are studying nursing degrees, and rebuilding a stable income for the family.

Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference.