Help Luay's Family Survive in Gaza

Peace be upon you,

I'm Luay Al Qatrawy from Gaza, specifically the middle area – Nuseirat refugee camp. We were forced to flee into the south of Gaza – Rafah – Al Mawasi, displaced under fire and horrible shelling after evacuation leaflets were dropped by the Zionist occupation army on our area when the army invaded Nuseirat.

We lived in tents in Rafah for about 50 days.

This is me posing before the Rafah border during the cold winter months.

We die here in Gaza by many ways, one of them being pollution. This was due to the bombing of the sewers, which led to their complete destruction, as well as the bombing of garbage trucks, as they were transporting waste near Wadi Gaza.

We returned to our home in Nuseirat after the situation deteriorated and the invasion of Rafah ensued, and found the area of Gaza we call home in ruins. Thankfully, we are one of 20% whose home is still standing, with minimal damage.

Here in the middle of the Gaza strip, the situation worsens day by day. Resources and daily life essentials like water, food, gas, petrol, power, and aid have run out, and we are subjected to genocidal actions and massacres daily.

There's no safe place in Gaza at all.

Allow me introduce you to my family of 8:

My father Wael, my mother Maha, and my siblings: Wasem (28), (myself) Luay (27), Ahmad (24), Diyaa (21), Umro (17), and Mays (11).

My mother Maha suffers from hypertension. But everyday, she works tirelessly to help care for us, cooking with whatever we can gather to make us meals made with love.

My father Wael lost his job as a painter, specializing in Gypsum decorations.

My older brother Wasem lost his small kiosk business.

My brother Ahmad was lucky to evacuate into Egypt, and we hope to one day be a united family again. This was the day he evacuated.

My brother Diyaa lost both of his jobs, one at the supermarket and the other in sales. He currently has a small stand selling various things to support us.

My youngest brother Umro was unable to complete his secondary education in high school, nor begin university because the Zionist military bombed all the universities, turning them to rubble.

Most of the remaining schools are now shelters for the displaced, and because of that my little sister Mays cannot proceed with her education, either.

And despite recently graduating college with a business degree in 2023, I lost my job as a clerk in general prosecution.

Life here in Gaza is horrible, no mind or heart can stand it. Everything's demolished and we're suffering through unimaginable conditions.

The necessities of life are either non-existent or often 10x the normal price. Much of the humanitarian aid is being blocked. We're still holding out for now, and with your support and help, we'll remain resilient until our last breaths.

We have seen death and people dying with our own eyes many times, and have endured the heartbreaking loss of over 50 of our friends, relatives, and beloved ones. We have lost our livelihoods and savings. Our lives, futures, and dreams have been stolen from us. I have never been outside of Gaza, and there are places in my homeland I have always dreamed of visiting, but was never permitted due to the apartheid travel restrictions of living in Gaza.

One day, Inshallah. (God willing)

My parents are determined to stay and help rebuild Gaza should we survive, but I will explore any opportunities in or out of Gaza with hopes of building a future for myself.

I accept the challenge to stay alive here and I can't do that without you, my friends and worldwide family. Any sized donation means a lot to us. If you can't donate please share. We appreciate your support and prayers. You're our last hope after Allah.

We live = Humanity lives.

We win = Humanity wins.

You can find me on Instagram under @luay_alqatrawy or @luay_alqatrawy2

https://www.instagram.com/luay_alqatrawy2?igsh=NGRueWRwNmFkNGt2

https://www.instagram.com/luay_alqatrawy?igsh=MXJ3YzRjZDl1dDczcQ==

If you would like to chat or ask about anything, don't hesitate.

Sincerely,

Luay Al-Qatrawy

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Salam and hello to you,

My name is Christine from Illinois in the United States, and I am helping my friend in Gaza, Luay, and his family of eight by creating this fundraising page to help ease the struggles of the genocide being carried out against them and fellow Palestinians.

I first met Luay through Instagram, after having shared a fundraiser to my page for his brother’s evacuation back in February of 2024. We have conversed nearly every day since; Luay sharing his struggles, close calls, and posts worth sharing to raise awareness for Gaza.

Given that the Rafah border is currently closed, funds raised will primarily be used to help support the family for everyday needs like food, medicine, clothing, fuel and other daily necessities, and anything above and beyond will be save to go toward the eventual evacuation of the family members who wish to leave Gaza once the borders reopen. Funds collected will be deposited into my USA bank account, and transferred every week to Luay’s brother Ahmad, who evacuated into Egypt earlier in the year and is currently living in Giza. (This is because of the unique restrictions on Palestinian bank accounts.) Ahmad will then work with Luay to get the funds directly to the family, and eventually help coordinate and pay for their evacuation with Egyptian officials. This process will help reduce the amount of transfer and withdrawal fees incurred.

On behalf of Luay and his family, it would mean so much if you could make a donation, any denomination, and share this fundraiser to your social media pages.

Thank you,

Christine O'Dea