Urgent: Help Evacuate Altanany family from war-zone Gaza

Hello everyone,

My name is Rama Altanany, and I am sharing with you the story of my family on their behalf and their urgent plea for help in the face of the tremendous loss and despair they are experiencing. My family’s attempts to survive the ongoing genocide in Gaza feel more futile than ever. Death came knocking hard at our door this time, claiming our Habiba.

Habiba, my cherished cousin, was a 4-year-old angel taken from us on April 1st, 2024, while her brother and mother sustained grave injuries. Born after 25 years of her parents' struggle with infertility, she was a precious gift to our family. Her loss has left a void in our hearts that words cannot describe.

A photo of our beloved Habiba in Rafah not long before she was killed.

After much contemplation, I have concluded that evacuating my family from Gaza is the only way to ensure their safety and reunite with them. As a 24-year-old student residing in the Netherlands, I have been separated from my family for eight long years, anxiously awaiting the day I can see them again.

My cherished family remains in Gaza, enduring relentless brutality from ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing. Following an airstrike on a nearby house, our own home suffered severe damage, yet miraculously, my family survived. Amid incessant bombardment and artillery strikes, they sought refuge in what was deemed a "safe area," only to find no respite. Deprived of shelter, income, electricity, drinking water, and healthcare, they are surrounded by destruction and constant danger.

Despite the hardships, my family has persevered, repeatedly forced to abandon everything in search of safety. From Jabalia to Al-Maghazi camp, then to Deir al-Balah and Rafah, they have endured unimaginable challenges, including sheltering in harsh conditions in tents for over four months.

This is a picture of the makeshift tent my family of 7 is taking shelter in in Rafah.

The most agonizing aspect has always been the loss of our loved ones. In November, my cousin Aiat and her three children were tragically killed. More recently, my dear cousin Habiba, just four years old, met a similar fate. These losses add to the countless relatives who have fallen victim to this horrific genocide.

The suffering persists relentlessly, with no end in sight. It is heart-wrenching to witness my family endure unspeakable horrors while I am outside of Gaza, powerless to be by their side or offer help. Death lurks in every corner, making it clear that the only hope for my family's survival is to escape Gaza.

A bit about my family:

My grandfather, Mahmoud, is 92 years old. He is experiencing the Nakba for the second time in his life. He was forcibly displaced from his village, Herbia, in 1948. Believe me, until this moment, he still cries about his old house, his village, and his friends whom he lost at the time. He is now disabled and dependent on a wheelchair, which we hardly got during the war to make it easier to carry and move him during displacement from one place to another. (picture of my grandpa)

My mother, Randa, 54 years old, suffers from difficult health conditions, as she suffers from frequent clots in her foot leading to severe swelling in her feet, in addition to chronic blood pressure that affects the heart muscle. Because of the lack of treatment or even medical centers, my mother's situation worsens and she needs to receive the necessary treatment.

Meet my beloved mother, Randa. She made countless sacrifices to ensure my siblings and I received a proper education. Despite knowing that pursuing my dreams meant being separated from me for many years, she selflessly encouraged me to study abroad at a young age. Eight years without seeing her feels like an eternity, and all I yearn for is to reunite with her once more.

My father, Rawhi, is 62 years old, and he suffers from cartilage in his back and pain to the point that he finds no medicine except some painkillers, if available, which, like other people, naturally, have caused him to lose his house, money, business, and more than half of his weight as well!

Adam is 14 years old, my youngest brother, whom I remember as the 6-year-old child I left behind before moving to the Netherlands. He firsthand witnessed the Jabalia massacre in October 2023. He has seen things no human brain can comprehend. He miraculously survived, and until this moment, he severely suffered psychological trauma and nightmares. He uncontrollably screams, "I don’t want to die; I do not want to die!" when hearing the sound of airstrikes. ( picture of Adam on the left side and Baraa on the right)

My brothers, Muhammad (26 years old), Mahmoud (22 years old), and Baraa (17 years old), are all stuck in Gaza, facing an unknown fate. They are trying to survive and help the family by securing food and water in reality, which does not provide any future or place to survive and thrive.

This is Mohammed, my older brother. He is the funniest in the family. Back when I was in Gaza during the war I remember he would say jokes amidest bombardment so that I and my younger brothers would feel lees afraid of the bombs.

This is Mahmoud or you can call him Medo. Before we lost our business in this genocide, Medo would spend his day after school helping my dad at our clothing store. He deserves to achieve his dreams in safety.

Here is a picture of Baraa by the beautiful beach of Gaza. Baraa has the kindest soul on this earth. He is my favorite brother and I miss him dearly. Insha'Allah with your help we reunite soon.

My uncle Ramzi lost his angel Habiba in Rafah, the place where he was displaced with his family after their entire home was bombed and burned in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. They were displaced to a place claimed to be safe. They lived in the worst living conditions in a school for the displaced in Rafah. My uncle lost the light of his eye, Habiba, and his heart is afraid to lose the light of his second eye, Mohammed. One day before Habiba was killed, I managed to call my uncle for the first time since the genocide. He was telling me that he is in a constant nightmare of fear for the lives of his children! He was blessed by them after 25 years of infertility, they are the soul of his soul. Unfortunately, my uncle's nightmares came true the next day.

(Picture of my uncle and his family)

To facilitate my family's evacuation from Gaza, I am launching this GoFundMe campaign with a goal of €70,000. This will cover the expenses for obtaining permits to evacuate ten family members, including my parents, grandparents, four brothers, uncle Ramzi, his wife, and their child Mohammed. The evacuation fees range from $7,000 to $10,000 per adult and $3,000 to $5,000 per child. Any additional funds raised will be allocated towards meeting my family's essential needs in Egypt, such as rent, food, and other necessities, until they can establish stability.

Any donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference to the safety of my family. We'll use the money raised transparently and efficiently to make sure every dollar goes to keeping them safe. Your support during this profoundly challenging time will offer us hope amid despair.

Help us reach our goal and provide safety for my family by sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your kindness and support, as well as your willingness to stand with us in support, as together we can make a real difference and provide safety and security for my family.

Thank you for standing with us in solidarity.

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