Help Save My Brother’s Life in Gaza

My name is Abdalrahman, and I am reaching out regarding my brother who was shot in Gaza whilst tending to the wounded and injured in an ambulance. As an international graduate student in the US, my concern for the safety and well-being of my family members in Gaza, particularly my brother, Dr. Hytham Elmalahi, has compelled me to seek assistance during these challenging times despite my personal hesitation.

In November, due to persistent bombardments in our neighborhood, my family had to evacuate their home, seeking refuge in a relative's residence. Unfortunately, subsequent Israeli bombings destroyed our home, resulting in the loss of our possessions and displacement. Amidst the various hardships faced by my family, the most critical incident occurred to my brother on December 9th.

My brother- Dr. Elmalahi- a medical doctor, was shot twice while fulfilling his duties in an ambulance in Gaza City. The first bullet found him within the supposed sanctuary of the ambulance, and as he exited, a second shot pierced his thigh. Unfortunately, everyone in that ambulance lost their lives, except for him. He managed to crawl to a safe corner, where he later received help.

Dr. Elmalahi was taken to Shuhadaa’ Al Daraj Health Center, where his wounds were treated to the best of their ability. Regrettably, the center lacks proper sanitation and essential supplies, resulting in a severe wound infection that is worsening his condition. His initial treatment with external fixation rods was primitively applied to his fractured bones. After a month of enduring unimaginable pain, his situation exacerbated.

The severity of his injuries now requires immediate medical attention. Left untreated, his wounds and bone fractures will likely lead to his death as multiple infections are compounded by the intense agony of a shattered femur without access to critical medication. The lack of proper sanitation and essential supplies at the health centers has continued to exacerbate his already wounded infection, further complicating his condition.

As of today, my family has been displaced multiple times within Northern Gaza due to continued shelling, and my brother who is currently not in a hospital is managing his injury with over-the-counter painkillers and limited access to food and water. His situation is critical, and his life hangs in the balance with multiple fractures in his thigh bones necessitating urgent surgery. For him to survive, immediate and urgent evacuation is imperative.

With that goal, we have established this GoFundMe to raise this fund to cover evacuation fees for both my brother and accompanying mother, and to provide immediate and life-saving medical support including surgery expenses, living expenses, and urgent medical needs.

My brother is an assistant professor at Al-Azhar University, has dedicated himself to his profession, and served at Al-Shifa hospital during the 2021 attack on Gaza. Beyond his professional commitments, he is a valued member of our family and community.

Your support is crucial in ensuring my brother’s survival, recovery, and providing him with the opportunity to resume his medical service to the people of Gaza. Remember, you are not only helping my brother, or my family, but also a person who has completely dedicated his life to serving the devastated people of Gaza since he completed his training as a Doctor two years ago.

We appreciate your consideration so very much during this incredibly difficult time, and thank you for your contributions towards helping my brother survive. If anyone who is willing and able to help requires any of the medical records, we are more than happy to share them. You can get them by contacting us on instagram at @3bdalrahman.f and on X @AbdalrahmanFM

Sincerely,

Abdalrahman

Update: Thank you very much for your kindness and support. I have increased the goal to evacuate the rest of my family in the North, my younger brother - Mohammed- and my dad. These funds will also go towards food and housing my family until the war ends and our home is reconstructed. We are also still working on evacuating Hytham and my mother.