My friend Mahrah (@mahrahpalestine) is an engineering student. She is brilliant and speaks with a clarity of analysis and thoughtfulness (even in a second language, even while living in crisis), that is profoundly impressive and humbling to me. She holds hope that Palestine will be free, and when it is, she will use her knowledge and skill to help rebuild.
Her father lost his job due to the war, and she does not have the money for university fees. The situation for her and other Palestinians is getting more difficult as the duration of the crossing closure increases, and the genocidal famine is leading to sickness and starvation.
Mahrah explained, "Food is missing from the markets. If the food is found, it is usually unhealthy because it contains preservatives and we eat it for a year and 8 months, and this causes diseases. But there are no other options to do without it. My nephews are at risk for my father's and mother's diseases and need healthy food because they are at an advanced age. It's like a famine, but there is no media to cover what's happening. They killed all the journalists."
Donations have been slowing, and she is afraid for her family's health. If you can spare some money to help them, please do.
Mahrah has been so incredibly kind and loving to me in our conversations, even checking in how I've been while recovering from surgery. She has extended so much compassion towards me, and I want to encourage others to extend that same level of compassion towards her.