Help Ishraq's family evacuate from Gaza war

Hi, my name is Heba Yusuf and I am Ishraq's friend. We have been friends for 4 years, and now living in Luxembourg. Ishraq is very stressful at the moment as she fears the loss of her family who need to be saved.

Here is her message to you:

My name is Ishraq Othman, a Palestinian from Gaza, and I lived my whole life in Gaza, and survived 4 wars. I am a PhD student working on the politics of checkpoints in Gaza living now in Luxembourg, and I am fully aware how much people of Gaza are suffering to pass through checkpoints; however, I never imagined that my family would endure such a pain. All of my family are in Gaza under fire. I am writing to you while I do not know if my family will be fine next day, or next hour or even next moment. They evacuated multiple times searching for a less dangerous place; given the fact that there is no safe place in the Gaza Strip. I left the most beautiful family. I lost my mom in 2008 after she was denied to exit outside Gaza to have her treatment as she was a rheumatoid patient, and she was supposed to have a kidney transplant surgery. I remember how we were very hopeful that she could get her treatments and come back in a good health to have our life full of joy and happiness, but all of our dreams were destroyed. I was 16 years and my youngest brother was only 8 when we lost her. I cannot endure another pain of loss of any member of my family. I was planning to visit Gaza in December 2023 and reunite together, and spend beautiful moments as if they were the last; at least I would have hugged them enough. The whole world has seen lots of heartbreaking images, yet they are still images which do not really reflect the whole story. Behind the scenes, there are lots of people sleeping in the streets, yet my sisters were lucky that they were displaced to Rafah staying in an appartment with around 40 people, lacking food and pure water. Due to drinking contaminated water, my two little nieces (6 years and 1 year) got sick while there are no medicines or doctors to examine them. The situation is very difficult for anyone to understand.

My 6-year niece (Mairoon) is already missing a whole school year, and we still do not know how many school years she is going to miss while she cannot really understand why she is not going to the school anymore, and how other children who are living on the same planet have their normal lives and daily school activities. She was always asking me when I will come to Gaza so that she can gift me the most beautiful ear-rings and necklace she made.

The only way for them to survive at the moment is to leave Gaza through Rafah crossing point (the Egyptian border). To leave Rafah, it is required to pay 7000 USD for each person. My family who need help are my sisters (Aroub and her husband Moath, Nagham and her husband Ahmad and their two little beautiful girls Mairoon and Zaha, my only brother Ahd and his wife Yara).

The cost is 7000 USD for adults and 1000 USD for children. I wish I could provide the whole cost, but what I only could provide is 2000 USD. I never made a campaign for any personal use, but this campaign is for humanitarian aid. I wish you can help anybody not only my family because the situation is indescribable and unimaginable.

I am writing to you because I do not want to lose my family. Every penny is worth it. Please help me evacuate them from the war and exit to Egypt. I am very grateful for anyone who can support and donate. You are donating for them to survive. I will never forget you!

P.S: For the donors who already donated, you may see some parts of the story which were modified, and this is due to the updates, and you can look at the last update I wrote, especially the part clarifying how the money was used/spent.

-With your donations and support, I managed to evacuate my family safely to Cairo, but they still need your support for some time until they are settled, or have a job. Of course, I am willing to help them as much as I can, but I cannot afford everything they may need. So, please share the link with people who care.

Thanks a lot,

Ishraq