Please help my family evacuate Gaza

Lisa Oswald is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Yamen, and I’m reaching out for help to evacuate my family and myself from Gaza. I am a Palestinian human rights defender, and I have documented four previous wars. I will do everything in my power to document the atrocities in Gaza this time too, when the circumstances allow. For now, I urgently need to bring my family to safety. The conditions in Gaza are extremely difficult.

I have spent the past 22 years monitoring and documenting violations of international law in Gaza by all actors, taking victim and witness testimonies, visiting many hundreds of incident sites, collecting weapons fragments, training fieldworkers and testifying as a witness abroad. My work is important for justice, a historical record and to prevent further atrocities, and I will do it again.

Our circumstances:

My immediate family consists of 4 children (1 has already left on a medical evacuation with my mother-in-law), my mother, and my wife and I.
Our home, now partially destroyed, is in Gaza City, and we were displaced on 13 Oct to Khan Younis. We sheltered in Khan Younis until the Israeli military pushed us into Rafah. We’re still in Rafah, although with the pending ground invasion, my wife and I are planning for a possible third displacement.
The conditions are catastrophic. Food, clean water, hygiene products, medicine is either absent or unaffordable. If a hospital is functioning, it’s crowded, unsafe and unstocked.
Since 7 Oct, 114 of my close and distant relatives have been killed. The loss in Gaza is immense and it’s only by chance that we’re still alive. The sound of drones and bombardments is constant.
In short, the challenges are profound and we are exhausted.

What we need to leave via Rafah crossing:

$5,000 (2 x the crossing fee of $2,500 for children under 16)
$20,000 (4 x the crossing fee of $5,000 for adults and children 16+)

Total: $25,000

We will be able to get on our feet again once in Egypt and are not asking for funds beyond the immediate costs of getting out of Gaza. All proceeds will be transferred from a friend's account to mine and will be spent on exit costs.

We are exhausted by our circumstances, but still uncomfortable asking for support. Many of you will know that I am usually in the position of supporting my community. But I have friends and colleagues who have tried everything to help us evacuate and it hasn’t worked. I will do anything for my children’s futures, so I’ve agreed with the help of a friend to post this fundraiser.

I am deeply grateful for any support you can give. Needless to say, your support will change our lives.

يعطيك العافية

Thank you

Some photos of my wonderful family below