Hi, my name is Mo Halloul. I was born in the North of Gaza, specifically Jabalia Al Nazla. I currently live in the UK and have done for many years now however, my family who live back home have never been far from the heart.

On the 7th of October when the war began I never could‘ve imagined we’d be where we are today. It has been 4 months since my families world was turned upside down. Their neighbours house was hit with a missile causing collateral damage on my family as their home collapsed. I will never forget this night, it was news I’d been dreading. I read in a live Gazan Telegram chat that they needed the Red Cross and Ambulances to go to my families house and that there were martyrs. My sister Alfat Al-Halool and her husband Salah Nasser didn‘t make it out alive. I sat in despair not hearing any news about my Mum, dad, brother and sisters aswell as their children. I had no idea if the likes of my mum were still trapped or even if they were alive. I didn‘t hear back until the next day from my brother in West bank that the rest of my family had thankfully made it out injured but alive and had taken shelter in the Halima Sadaya School close by. This wasnt the end of the trauma for them though, as no more than 2 days later my other sisters husband Raffat went to try and find food for the family and was shot in the head by a sniper hiding. My brother Rashawan heard of this and run to help him but ended up getting shot in the back. My brother was in a bad way for a while but survived and sadly, Raffat also didnt make it.

Since the day of the devastation my family hasn‘thad any time to pause and grieve the loss of their loved ones especially my mum who was close with Olfat (her first born). The last 4 months they have moved from pillar to post, taking shelter wherever they can. My sister Olfat survived cancer twice and the second time only very recently, within the last 12 months. Her husband was a successful lawyer who my family adored, he and my mum were by Olfat‘s side seeing her through every appointment to battle her illness. Salah worked hard to build the most perfect home for their 8 children in Beit Hanoun, this home was also hit with a missile in November and completely destroyed. They have left behind 8 children, the youngest being just 4 years old.

Before the war I called and text with my mum everyday. Now I speak to my mum whenever she can get a connection which isnt often enough. The conversations are almost always upsetting. There is very little food reaching the North of Gaza due to the supply running out as far as Rafah, the food that is available is of extortionate amounts. There is no clean water to drink and they are taking shelter in make-do tents.

I am hoping to raise £20,000 to reach my Mum so she can purchase materials for my family to try and piece back together a room or two in their house which is as it stands, is mostly rubble. In picture’s that I have attached you will see my Mum, sisters and neices and nephews now surrounded by the destruction caused from the war. You can also see pictures of the house and screenshots of the messages relating to my families home.

I appreciate you taking the time to read all of this and appreciate the donations now matter how small, thank you