Help Us Get Samer’s Family Out of Gaza

Our names are Belal Mahmoud from Egypt currently residing in Portugal, and Anas Audeh and Zina Ibragheeth, Palestinians currently residing in Malta. We had the privilege of befriending Samer, his wife Nesma, and their three wonderful daughters—Nadeen, Reema, and Hayat.

In response to the grave situation in Gaza, we are launching a fundraiser with a goal of €18,000. This amount is crucial to secure the passage of Samer and his family from Gaza to Egypt, and a short stay in Egypt, offering them a chance at a life free from the shadow of war. The cost for their journey stands at €4650 per adult and €2300 per child, in addition to €1800 allowance for food, transport, and rent in Egypt. Every day, they live with the fear of what might come next, making this campaign urgent and necessary for their survival.

Nadeen, Reema, and Hayat enjoy Christmas in one of the most popular cafes in Gaza (Yawmiyat) before the entire block was flattened by Israeli airstrikes (Image: 10/12/2022).

Samer’s Story: in His Own Words

Life in Gaza: Roots and Reality

My wife, Nesma, and I hail from Tuffah district's eastern side, near Gaza City. This area, where our three daughters, Nadeen, Reema, and Hayat, were born, holds our ancestors' deep roots.

Our home, more than bricks, embodies our dreams and the future we envision for our girls. Yet, the conflict has repeatedly shattered our peace, most notably in 2014, when our home partly crumbled under the Israeli bombardment, displacing us to Al-Karameh school for refuge.

Chasing Dreams Amidst Adversity

My aspirations to study abroad were first crushed in late 2008 when the Israeli assault on Gaza closed the German embassy, nullifying my chance to study in Germany. Despite these setbacks, I remained undeterred, securing a scholarship for a master's in international economics in Hungary years later where I met Belal, Anas, and Zina.

The journey there was fraught with obstacles, but after four years, I achieved my goal of graduating and reuniting with my family in Hungary. Our return to Gaza in 2022, driven by a longing for home, family, and my mother’s sickness marked a new chapter of hope and rebuilding. It was not without its trails. However, we were resolved to provide a stable, peaceful future for our daughters.

Our Lives Under the Israeli Genocide

The Israeli bombardment took a personal toll when the Al-Karameh school in the Tuffah district, attended by my daughters Nadeen and Reema, was destroyed. Teachers, who were guiding lights for my daughters, lost their lives to the bombardment.

Amidst this chaos, we sought refuge in Deir Al Balah, hoping for safety away from the Tuffah district. Our brief solace was shattered when we returned, only to find our lives and possessions, including a recently purchased car, obliterated.

Our return was short-lived as Israeli forces advanced, leveling homes and memories with relentless bombardment. Fleeing became a recurrent nightmare. We sought shelter at Al-Azhar University of Gaza.

December 2023 brought more despair as the Israeli forces approached the university, forcing us to move yet again in January 2024. Each relocation stripped us of hope, leaving us in limbo amidst the rubble of our once-vibrant neighborhood.

Four months of unyielding bombardment have reduced our existence to mere survival. Deprived of electricity, income, food, and clean water, my family confronts the grim reality of living in ruins. The dreams I cherished for my daughters lie in tatters, compelling me and my wife to consider fleeing Gaza.

Samer’s family home turned into rubble after Israel dropped three bombs on the block on 20/12/2023.

Eastern side of Tuffah after Israeli forces withdrew from the district on 10/01/2024.

Let Me Introduce You to My Beloved Family

The resilience of my wife Nesma is the backbone of our family. Her ability to adapt, coupled with her intelligence, has consistently amazed me. Despite the challenges, we continued our education at the University College of Applied Sciences in Tel Al-Hawa when we returned to Gaza in 2022.

Her achievement as the top student in her class, with a 97% degree, was a proud moment for us. Yet, the war's devastation, including the destruction of our university, has cast a long shadow over our future plans.

Our daughters, Nadeen and Reema, have faced their education being disrupted by the war. Nadeen, now ten, and Reema, eight, are unable to continue school. Our youngest, Hayat, at 18 months, remains oblivious to the chaos around her. Our family's love for life and learning persists, yet the war has forced us to reevaluate our hopes and dreams for our children's future.

This is why we appeal to your generosity, asking for support to help us rebuild our lives out of Gaza, where hope and peace can be more than just distant dreams.

(From left to right) Nadeen, Reema, and Hayat on Gaza Beach before the war (Summer 2023).

Nadeen raising money for her family by selling treats to other kids (Tuffah district: 24/12/2023).