Help Abu Afash family leave Gaza

Dear all, I'm Jan Keulen, I'm a Dutch journalist and I'm helping Mohammed Abu Afash, his wife and three daughters to leave Gaza.

Mohammed’s' brother Ali was a friend of mine and great colleague. Ali was killed in 2014 when an unexploded missile blew up in Northern Gaza. Ali worked with the Gaza Center for Media Freedom, a training center for young journalists that was affiliated with the Doha Center for Media Freedom. As the former director of the Doha Center for Media Freedom, I've been in touch with Ali's family ever since.

His brother Mohammed Shehta Hasan Abu Afash, 37 years old, resides in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. He is married and has three daughters: Aliaa, 10 years old, currently enrolled in the fourth grade; Eliaa, 8 years old, attending the second grade; and Layan, 4 years old, yet to begin her primary education. Mohammed previously owned a stationery, gifts, and toys store, which he established after years of perseverance. "It became a beautiful place," he says, "that not only sustained my family financially but also secured our future."

On October 7, the war started. Mohammed: "During the first week, we were compelled to seek refuge in Al-Maghazi camp in the middle of the Gaza Strip, then in the city of Deir Al-Balah, and finally in a tent in the city of Rafah. I held onto the hope that the war would cease, allowing us to return home and rebuild our lives. However, the ensuing days were filled with gunfire, bombardments and anguish for me and my children. The occupation forces burned down our house, and my library was obliterated. Furthermore, my three young daughters are grappling with terrifying trauma induced by the relentless bombings in close proximity to our shelter. Why there are explosions next to us, all the time, and why there are many of us dead, they ask.. No sleep.. No playing.. No studying..

Cooking in Rafah

Mohammed has lost his livelihood and home, leaving him with nothing but his three daughters and his wife. His sole desire is to provide them with a secure haven, access to education, and a dignified life devoid of the fear of missiles raining down upon them.

Help Mohammed to safety and to a new beginning. We were able to register the family with Hala travel agency with the money donated so far. But it will take several weeks before they are able to leave Gaza. The situation there is very uncertain after the Israeli army announced it will start a ground offensive in Rafah.

And if and when they make it to Egypt they need money to start a new living. Mohammed: "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those willing to assist me in this endeavor, and I implore you to help propagate this campaign among your friends, acquaintances, and anyone capable of lending a hand. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,"

Upon completion of the campaign, I will send the collected money to Mohammed’s' relatives in Egypt. They will coordinate with a private company to travel inside Egypt and register Mohammed, his wife and three daughters...

Mohammed's shop left in ruin