Urgent Save Mohammad and Tareq's Families in Gaza

Dear friends and human rights advocates,

My name is Susan, and today, I reach out to you on behalf of Mohammad and Tareq, our colleagues and unwavering human rights defenders and field researchers in Gaza for over 15 years. Their lives alongside their families hang in the balance, and it is only with your collective support that we can save them. Since October 2023, Mohammad and Tareq, along with their families consisting of 11 people, including 7 children – Khaled (16), Ahmed (13), Leyan (13), Zainah (11), Rafif (8), AbdulAziz (7), and Adam (7), have been internally displaced multiple times, and are now living under tragic circumstances along with their families in Rafah and Deir Al Balah. Their homes are no more. Their kids face famine.Their hearts are worn out after burying family members killed by Israeli airstrikes, or from lack of medical care and aid.

Mohammad and Tareq have dedicated their lives to documenting war crimes, standing as pillars of truth and justice amidst the decades of oppression that Gaza has faced. Over the years, I vividly recall receiving late-night texts, calls and emails from them, brimming with accounts of Palestinians in dire need of medical permits, farmers and fishermen targeted unjustly, and countless testimonies giving a voice to Palestinians in Gaza living under Israel’s settler colonial apartheid and blockade. Their work is not just a profession; it is a testament to their unbreakable spirit and commitment to human dignity.

Yet now, death is creeping in on them, and their beautiful kids - every night the explosions and airstrikes get closer and closer. Mohammed prays every night that the angel of death will skip his loved ones, while Tareq, grieving the loss of his father who passed away without a farewell, tries helplessly to comfort his children. Their children are asking us on calls, their voices trembling: “When will this war end?” Their calls cannot go unheeded.

Mohammad and Tareq have been instrumental through six wars on Gaza. Their expertise, dedication and courage were indispensable in the work we’ve done. Now, it's our turn to ensure their safety. We refuse to let our colleagues be killed - the only way to save them is through organizing their passage to Egypt.

The cost for their safety, and that of their families, stands at $40,000 for exit fees, this is 5,000 USD per adult (*5) and 2,500 USD per child under 16 years old (*6), and an additional $20,000 to secure their passage from Egypt to safety, and cover the charges and fees of GoFundMe.

If everyone reading this plea takes 4 mins to donate 5$ now, we’ll be able to save Tareq and Mohammed and their families. Every dollar collected will directly contribute to the safety of our colleagues. By donating just 5$ and sharing this appeal with three friends, encouraging them to do the same, we can meet our goal within a week. It's a small action on your part that can lead to life-changing outcomes for Mohammad, Tareq, and their loved ones.

We promise unparalleled transparency. A budget breakdown will be provided, and updates on our progress will be shared on the campaign page.

The Urgency of Now:

As I write to you, the situation grows increasingly dire. The shadows of conflict loom large, threatening the lives of every Palestinian, including Mohammad and Tareq who have spent their lives fighting for justice. Their children are hungry as the man-made famine is getting worse. Our colleagues never wanted to leave Gaza – they’ve stayed steadfast for six months. But now, the only choice they have is either stay and watch their kids starve, or leave to safety. Amidst their struggle for survival, they yearn for the day when this genocide is over, so they may return to their homeland. Today, however, Mohammad, Tareq, and their families need an immediate lifeline. Time is of the essence.

This is more than a call for donations; it's a call to uphold the values we cherish deeply. By supporting Mohammad and Tareq, you're first and foremost saving lives, but also you're enabling them to carry on their vital work advocating for human rights in Gaza for years to come.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Mohammad,Tareq and their families closer to safety.

Share: Amplify our call for support. Your voice can inspire others to act.

Stand in Solidarity: Beyond your donation, your moral support sends a powerful message of unity and hope.

In the words of Warsan Shire, "No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark." For Mohammad, Tareq, and their families, you can be the beacon leading them away from the jaws of peril.

Update: Since we began the fundraiser, we have now received enough funds to secure the fees for Mohammad's and Tareq's families, for which we are profoundly grateful. We are currently in the process of arranging the logistics with GoFundMe of the transfer. Any additional funds will be transferred to our colleague Ahmed Abofoul's fundraiser, for the evacuation of his family members in Gaza. Ahmed's fundraiser is at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-plea-to-save-my-family-from-the-gaza-genocide

We are currently coordinating with relatives of Mohammad and Tareq in Egypt, Nawja (Tareq's sister in law), Rima and Rita (Mohammad's nieces), the logistics of transferring the funding to pay the Agency in Egypt.

With profound gratitude and hope,

Susan

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