What Israel's Siege Has Done to Salah's Family

Why I’m Asking You to Stop and Read This Story Today

I usually write short notes for families in Gaza. I don’t really do long articles anymore when it comes to fundraising, because the need is so overwhelming and the suffering is endless. But this family… the amount they are carrying, the layers of hardship, the disabilities, the medical needs, the displacement — it’s too much for any one household to bear. Their situation is so heavy that I felt I had to write something longer, something that gives you the full picture.

This article is going out to all my subscribers because I’m hoping that somewhere among you, there are people who will read this, feel it, and dig deep. I know the economy is hard everywhere. I know we’re all dealing with our own crises. But if even 10% of you — honestly, even 1% — donated a few dollars, it would make a real difference for this family. It can literally keep someone alive.

Everyone in Gaza needs the same basics: food, clean water, shelter, medicine. Israel’s siege and blockade have stripped the entire strip down to nothing. People are living in a wasteland — sewage flooding the streets, rodents everywhere, insects, scorpions, contamination, disease. It’s not a livable environment. It’s survival minute by minute. People don’t count days anymore. They count minutes.

And because of that, we — the rest of the world — have a responsibility. None of us can save all of Gaza. But each of us can help one family. If every pro‑Palestine person helped just one household, Palestinians would be lifted up. Their suffering would be eased, even a little.

So today, I’m asking you to take a few minutes to read about Salah and his family. Their campaign has been open for more than two months and has only received about $330. No one can survive on that. And with Israel destroying Gaza’s entire economy, there is no employment left. There is no income. There is no “just work harder.” There is nothing.

They need us. They need the world to help them survive until something changes — until governments grow a spine and stand up to Israel, until this concentration‑camp reality is stopped.

Now let me tell you their story.

---

Salah and his baby

Salah Al‑Masri and His Family

Salah Al‑Masri is a 24‑year‑old Palestinian from Beit Hanoun. He’s a university graduate and a young father. Before the war, his family lived a normal life. They had a home. They had a supermarket that supported all of them. They had stability.

Israel destroyed all of it in the first days of the war.

Their home was flattened. Their supermarket — their only source of income — was wiped out. Since then, the family has been displaced nine times, moving from one unsafe place to another: Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, Nuseirat, Khan Younis, Rafah, Al‑Shati, Deir Al‑Balah. They are now sheltering near Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, living in conditions no human being should ever have to endure.

This is a family of 19 people. Many of them have severe disabilities or chronic illnesses. Even in a functioning society, this family would need support. In Gaza’s current reality, their situation is almost impossible.

---

Mustafa

Mustafa — 39 Years Old, Total Care Dependency

Mustafa’s suffering began in early childhood when he contracted meningitis. The illness left permanent damage. He never developed normally. Over the years, his condition progressed into cerebral palsy and severe muscle atrophy.

He cannot move.

He cannot feed himself.

He cannot perform a single daily task without full assistance.

He has no teeth, so he can only eat soft, specially prepared food. He needs diapers, constant hygiene care, and full‑time supervision. He needs a medical mattress to prevent bedsores. He needs a proper wheelchair.

Right now, he has none of these things.

He lives in silence, in pain, completely dependent on his family for every moment of his life.

---

Shaimaa

Shaimaa — 31 Years Old, Intellectual Disability and Muscle Atrophy

Shaimaa has an intellectual disability, muscular atrophy, and delayed mental development. She needs medical care, social support, and a stable environment — none of which exist under siege and displacement. She cannot work. She cannot live independently. She relies on her family for everything.

---

Halima

Halima — 20 Years Old, Growth Hormone Deficiency

Halima’s condition affects her physical development and overall health. She needs proper nutrition, medical follow‑up, and stability. Gaza offers none of that right now. Her condition worsens with every month of displacement and deprivation.

---

Hudhaifa and his children

Hudhaifa — Serious Leg Injury

Hudhaifa has a severe leg injury that makes movement difficult. In a normal setting, he would need physical therapy, medical imaging, and consistent treatment. In Gaza, he gets none of that. He struggles to move around the shelter.

---

Jameel — Severe Head Injury

Jameel lives with a serious head injury that requires continuous medication. Access to medication in Gaza is nearly impossible. His condition is unstable and dangerous.

---

Their Father — Heart Disease, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure

Their father is elderly and chronically ill. He needs medication and monitoring. He needs rest. Instead, he is living in a crowded shelter, surrounded by disease, noise, and constant fear.

---

What This Family Needs Right Now

This family needs the basics that every human being in their situation deserves:

• A wheelchair for Mustafa

• A medical mattress

• Diapers

• Soft food and nutritional support

• Medication for multiple family members

• Daily living essentials

• Food, clean water, and shelter

These are not luxuries. These are survival needs.

---

Why Your Help Matters

This family cannot work. Even if Gaza’s economy were intact, most of the adults in this household physically cannot work due to their disabilities and medical conditions. They rely entirely on humanitarian support — and right now, that support is barely reaching anyone.

Their campaign has raised only $330 in two months. That is nothing in Gaza’s current reality.

If we can raise enough, we can help them secure:

• A proper wheelchair for Mustafa

• Medical supplies

• Food and water

• Diapers

• A mattress

• Basic stability

• A chance to survive this genocide with dignity

Every dollar counts. Truly.

---

Salah, his brother Mustafa, his child, and his siblings' children.

A Final Word

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Salah’s family is carrying more than any family should ever have to carry. They are surviving minute by minute under a siege designed to break people.

But we can help them.

We can lighten the load.

We can give them a chance to breathe.

If you can spare anything — even a few dollars — it will go a long way.

Let’s do what we can. Let’s help this family survive.

https://chuffed.org/project/174571-salah-and-his-child-in-gaza-help-now

---

Manufacturing Dissent exists because of you. We’re independent—powered only by readers and listeners. For less than a coffee, you can join us. Annual memberships are 30% off. Stand with us. Fuel citizen journalism. Keep dissent alive.