Urgent Call: Help My Family to Evacuate Gaza

To our beloved friends and community,

I'm Khaled, extending my hand in solidarity with my uncle Sobhi and his family as we initiate a fundraiser. We're determined to reunite our family members and rebuild our lives amidst the harrowing crisis in Gaza. I urge you to take a moment to hear Uncle Sobhi's story and stand with us in support as we navigate through this tumultuous time, striving to rebuild amidst the chaos of conflict. Your contribution can make a significant difference in helping us to not just survive, but to thrive once again.

Sobhı's Family

I am Sobhi, a 59-year-old mechanic who has called Gaza home for my entire life. The sands of time seem to blur memories of life before October 2023, a period marked by profound change and staggering losses. In the face of uncertainty, my family and I have weathered countless moments where every breath felt like our last.

With profound humility, we now turn to you, seeking assistance to evacuate Gaza and embark on a journey to rebuild our lives anew.

My wife Dalal and I have been married since February 1991. Dalal, who is 49 years old, and a dedicated homemaker.

Our family unit comprises 14 individuals, including ourselves, our two sons, four daughters, four grandchildren, my daughter-in-law, and my wife's mother. My life's work has been dedicated to ensuring a bright and secure future for our children. In addition to my career, I generate a secondary income through renting out three stores and four apartments, all located within the same building.

Recently, my health has been in decline due to chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. A heart operation, just days before the onset of war, rendered me unable to continue working as a mechanic. With our primary income stream heavily reliant on rental earnings, the financial strain became palpable.

In 2017, our daughter Heba took the initiative to launch an online textile store Miss Lily Online Shopping store, aiming to alleviate some of our financial burdens.

While we've weathered smaller escalations in Gaza before, this crisis has proven to be unparalleled. Within days of its onset, we were forced to flee our home, scattering across different areas for safety. I remained in Al Remal until November 13, 2023, when I finally managed to reach Rafah after enduring multiple displacements due to relentless attacks.

To be honest, we are far from okay. Our dreams for our family have been shattered by this crisis. Our only desire now is for peace - a sanctuary where we can work and raise our children without the specter of violence. We yearn for a tranquil existence, free from conflict and strife.

Impact of the War on Our Family

The war has inflicted profound devastation upon our family, leaving indelible scars on our hearts and minds. Here's how it has impacted us:

1. Loss of Life's Savings and Assets: We have been stripped of our life's savings and assets, including the $700,000 invested in our dream building and the $9,000 worth of equipment and goods for my daughter Heba's online store. This financial setback has dealt a severe blow to our hopes and aspirations for the future.

2. Complete Destruction of Property: The war has mercilessly ravaged our building, reducing it to ashes. Our apartments and stores lie in ruins, severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable. Everything we held dear – from cherished memories to essential belongings – has been either stolen or irreparably damaged, leaving us with nothing but debris and despair.

3. Emotional Toll: The trauma of witnessing our home and livelihoods destroyed before our eyes has taken a toll on our emotional well-being. The loss of our possessions and the upheaval of our lives have left us grappling with feelings of grief, helplessness, and uncertainty about the future.

4. Displacement and Separation: The war has forced us to flee our home and scatter across different areas for safety. My daughter Reem and her children are trapped in Gaza City, unable to escape the ongoing violence. The separation from loved ones and the fear of their safety weigh heavily on our hearts, adding to the anguish of our situation.

5. Dreams Shattered: Our dreams for a better life have been shattered by the brutality of war. The once-promising future we envisioned for our family now lies in ruins, leaving us with little hope and a sense of despair about what lies ahead.

Here's how your support will make a difference:

We seek your support to rebuild our lives. The funds will help us start over:

• Evacuation and Restarting in Turkey: Our primary goal is to evacuate my daughter Reem and her two children from Gaza and begin anew in Turkey, where we once found refuge. This endeavor entails significant expenses, including crossing fees to Egypt (averaging $5,500 per person, subject to change), passport renewal, flight tickets, accommodation, transportation, and essential living expenses upon arrival. Your contribution will enable us to cover these costs, facilitating our evacuation and the initial steps toward rebuilding our lives in a safer environment.

• Emergency Needs in Gaza: Recognizing the unpredictable nature of the situation in Gaza, we acknowledge the possibility of obstacles hindering our evacuation plans. In such instances, whether due to financial constraints, travel risks, or logistical challenges, we will allocate the funds raised to address urgent emergency needs within Gaza. This may include essential provisions, medical expenses, shelter, and other necessities required to sustain our family amidst the ongoing turmoil.

Khaled has launched this fundraiser on my behalf, as he is based in the Spain and able to access this platform. She will transfer the funds to me, so I can use for these purposes listed above. To note, there is a small, required GoFundMe fee applied to online donations (2.9% + $0.30 per donation).

We thank you for your kind and generous help. In these terrible times, we are grateful for our friends and community and your support. Your support gives us strength, and, with your help, we will rebuild our lives again.