Desperation in Gaza: Palestinian Americans Struggle to Help Family Members Amid Ongoing Crisis

Strategic Insights -

For nearly two years, Rolla Alaydi has been following the news from Gaza with horror, her family trapped in the Palestinian territory as Israel's war against Hamas continues. Alaydi, who came to the United States for school and is now a naturalized American citizen, has been advocating for her family and trying to raise money for food, supplies, and legal assistance. Her family is not alone in their struggle, with over 60,000 people killed and a worst-case scenario of famine unfolding in Gaza, according to a report by a group of U.N.-backed experts tracking food security.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding, according to a report by a group of U.N.-backed experts tracking food security.
  • Rolla Alaydi, a Palestinian American, has been advocating for her family and trying to raise money for food, supplies, and legal assistance for over two years.
  • The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denied Alaydi's application for humanitarian parole for her family members in June, citing a lack of urgent humanitarian reasons.
  • Palestinian American community members are consistently calling their representatives in Congress, advocating for a sustained ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
  • Despite the challenges, many Palestinian Americans believe that donating to humanitarian efforts and advocating for policy change is necessary to bring attention to the crisis in Gaza.
  • Israel has denied starvation in Gaza and blamed the United Nations for failing to deliver supplies, but the U.N. has said that Israel's ongoing war makes it too dangerous to deliver aid.

Statistics:

  • Over 20,000 children in Gaza were admitted for acute malnutrition treatment between April and mid-July, according to the report by U.N.-backed experts.
  • Rolla Alaydi has been visiting Del Monte Beach in California every Sunday for two years to raise awareness and funds for her family in Gaza.
  • The number of people killed in Gaza since the start of the war is approximately 60,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
  • The number of Palestinian Americans advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza is significant, with many consistently calling their representatives in Congress.

Sources:

  • Gaza Health Ministry
  • U.N.-backed experts tracking food security
  • Palestinian American Community Center in New Jersey
  • The report by U.N.-backed experts tracking food security
  • KQED's Nisa Khan