Support Beit Atfal Assumoud (BAS) in Memory of Omar & Hiyam

In early October, two members of the Zeidan family, Omar Zeidan and Hiyam Al-Zeini, were martyred by the cruel and violent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. The Zeidan family was forced to evacuate Rashidieh refugee camp in South Lebanon due to threats of attack on this particular area. While reluctant to leave, the Zeidan family fled to central Lebanon to seek safety from Israeli bombardment. Despite the fact that displaced families had adhered to the instructions, on Wednesday, 10 October, the Israeli military conducted an airstrike that targeted a building sheltering the Zeidan family along with countless other displaced refugees–mainly from Rashidieh camp–in Wardaniyyeh, Lebanon. Hours after searching for their bodies in the rubble and then frantically looking in several hospitals where the injured and killed had been taken, it was confirmed through DNA testing that Omar and Hiyam were among the at least 6 martyrs and 13 injured.

The Zeidan family has been a pillar of the Rashidieh camp community for many years. Mr. Mahmoud Zeidan is the Director of Beit Atfal Assumoud (BAS) center in Rashidieh. BAS is the largest Palestinian-run nonprofit in Lebanon, founded on the heels of the Tel El-Zaatar massacre in 1976. BAS and the Zeidan family represent what it means to be steadfast in resistance to the violent erasure and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Mr. Mahmoud has worked tirelessly for decades serving thousands of children through cultural, educational, health, and wellness programming. Even at the time his wife and son were martyred, he was at one of the shelters attending to the needs of other displaced families.

The BAS community center in Rashidieh camp is a haven of safety, comfort, and belonging for so many generations of Palestinian refugees. The Zeidan family has extended every ounce of their energy to provide opportunities for resilient futures for Palestinian youth in Rashidieh and around the country. The loss of Omar and Hiyam has struck at the core of the Rashidieh community. Further, their loss has had a profound impact on many of us the world over who have worked closely with BAS.

As members of the international community who have strong ties to Rashidieh and to the Palestine refugee communities of Lebanon, we call on our friends and family to contribute to this fundraiser in honor of Omar and Hiyam, so that their memories may be exalted. Your gift will support Beit Atfal Assumoud's efforts as they continue to tirelessly organize relief campaigns throughout Lebanon to support the displaced. BAS has graciously opened its doors to hundreds of volunteers over the years, which has allowed us to witness the Zeidan boys grow year by year. They participated in educational projects and our volunteers taught, danced, played, laughed, and developed countless memories together. Being welcomed into their homes and lives is an honor and blessing. They have taught us what it means to remain steadfast in the Palestinian people’s right of return to their homeland, and most memorably, did it all with modest and bright smiles.

In honor of Omar and Hiyam, we hope to stand in solidarity with the over 119,000 Palestinian refugees, along with the over 1.2 million Lebanese and Syrians, whose lives have been upended as they escape the cruel and wanton Israeli bombardment and aggression throughout Lebanon.

Collectively, we hope to support in providing the following provisions: