Echoes of Survival: Maysaa Qaraya Plea for Peace

Peace be upon you, peace be upon the free and honorable people of the world.

I write to you from the heart of a relentless storm, where each moment heralds a new onslaught upon us. The bombings are ceaseless, an unyielding barrage that shatters our peace and robs us of sleep.

In this besieged land, our elders suffer without relief, a  nd our children bear the burden of diseases brought forth by pollution, with no treatment in sight.

Our home, a sanctuary once, was ravaged by occupation forces in 2014, leaving us with a debt of over $20,000—a haunting reminder of our struggles. We long to settle this debt before our time runs out, before the specter of death claims us.

In Gaza, every passing minute feels like a step closer to joining the ranks of the fallen. Each bomb strike sends shivers down our spines, and the night sky is pierced by missiles aimed at homes, tearing through the darkness with deadly intent.

For 170 days, we have endured fear, hunger, and sleepless nights, yearning for peace to embrace our innocent children. Our relatives lie scattered, their bodies torn asunder by the merciless violence of war.

We plead for your assistance, for a lifeline amidst this genocide. Egyptian authorities demand an exorbitant fee of $7,000 for passage through the Rafah crossing—a sum beyond our means. We turn to you, seeking refuge, praying that you will not forsake us in our hour of need.

For the first time in my life, I humbly ask for help. Even the smallest contribution, $10 from each compassionate soul, could make a world of difference to us. Death lurks at our doorstep, but with your kindness, we may yet find a path to survival.

With heartfelt gratitude and profound love, we thank you for your consideration and support.