Jamal from Gaza Updates

Jamal's family continues to suffer every day to access the simplest of life's necessities. Many internationally aren't aware the Rafah border crossing closed again at the beginning of Ramadan, which has led to an astronomical increase in prices.

However, Jamal does not forget his people and his beloved country, but rather does everything in his power to help his family and community.

In this blessed month of Ramadan, in spite of his own suffering, Jamal distributed fresh bread to 20 hungry families. Please see his video/photos! His heart and care for his community is a powerful thing to watch.

I implore you to help in any capacity if you're able. Your continued support is the only way to continue this charitable work and provide for Jamal's family's needs as well. ❤️

Comment, share and support our account. Talk about us everywhere, and do not hesitate to spread the message of what is happening in Palestine. You are the only alternative. Please do not forget your siblings across the sea. Thank you and bless you for all you do.

All our love.

Hi all. Kati here again. Thank you so much for your generous donations, and for following along.

Now that the war has returned, Jamal and his family of 8 are suffering greatly due to displacement and famine. They are in the month of Ramadan and there is a huge increase in prices; they cannot afford even the most basic necessities. We want to provide them with the simplest necessities of life. Any donation you make will help, even if it is small, and save them from literal death. With the border crossings still closed, they are in dire need of us more than ever. We want to do everything we can to help them, even if it is with something simple. Do not forget that they deserve to live in peace like any family in the world. You are our only hope, my friends.

Please continue to contribute what you can, and to share Jamal's story. Free Palestine!

Hello friends. Thank you so much for your generous contributions and care. They have gone not only to Jamal's family directly in the form of basic necessities, but Jamal continues to spread the little he has to his community. See photos of his bread distribution efforts attached!

Things continue to be incomprehensibley difficult in Gaza. With the ceasefire over, Jamal and his family have been forced to evacuate by the IOF mere days after finally returning to their destroyed home. Now, they are displaced again. They have not found anywhere to go, because most others are displaced, too. They continue to look for space to settle in the Al-Daraj neighborhood is located in the west of Gaza, but resources are scarce.

My friend Jamal gives and does everything he can. He constantly strives to leave a good impact after his death. He helps as much as he can. This depends on you greatly through support, assistance, participation, and speaking about us wherever you are, whether in protests, conferences, seminars, or lectures. Jamal asks, "Do not forget us, even if it is with a small word."

We repeat what we always say with all humility: Donate to Jamal, his family and his community so they can try to survive. Talk about Jamal and his family, so the world does not forget.

You are the reason they continue to survive, and this serves the Palestinian cause.

This is the prime time for you to show your humanity in support of Jamal and his large and inspiring family.

When we talk about the people of Gaza, we are talking about the suffering, the ongoing displacement, the hunger, and the ongoing killing, which has not stopped yet. Rather, there is now an unprecedented famine in the history of Palestine.

Don't abandon us, no matter what happens, my friends. Anything helps.

Hello! Kati here. I have a message for you direct from Jamal today. It reads:

"Despite the suffering we are going through, today is the blessed Eid al-Fitr. I am trying to find roots of hope in this difficult time. My friends, where are the congratulations and greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr? I love you all, my friends, from the bottom of my heart, and from our besieged and devastated people."

If you send holiday greetings, I will be sure
to pass them on. Each donation continues to help sustain Jamal, his family, and his community secure increasingly expensive living necessities as the war and blockade continue. You are so treasured and appreciated.

Hello beautiful donors,

I hope this finds you well. I received this message from Jamal this morning:

"Heavy shelling in the Shujaiya neighborhood. The army issued evacuation orders for the entire Shujaiya neighborhood. The shelling has not stopped, and there are hundreds of martyrs and wounded tonight due to the barbaric shelling. We ask you to pray for us continuously.

I humbly ask you to donate so that we can go to the southern Gaza Strip. The transportation costs are high.

Everyone who asks me where you and your family are now, I am at the Jabalia bus station, temporarily staying with a family close to the danger zone in the Shujaiya neighborhood.

The reason for this is that I cannot bear these costs. Up until this moment, I am suspended, and I have not left the northern Gaza Strip. Thank you"

I am particularly terrified for Jamal and his family's safety right now. He's sent me audio recordings from the wee hours of the night, and the shelling is horrifying, near, and constant. There is no sleeping soundly in Gaza.

Thank you for your ongoing care and concern. I will keep you updated when I learn more. Please continue to share and donate and carry Jamal and the Palestinian people in your hearts and words.

With gratitude,
Kati

Hello dear friends,

Kati here. My conversations with Jamal this week have been less frequent due to a forced evacuation in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood (where many had only just returned to, and many already live in ruins).

I knew about the evacuation and anticipated a forced gap in communications with Jamal, but I've frankly been pretty scared awaiting his response & collection of GFM funds I wired to Bank of Palestine. I woke up every day praying to see a hello from him. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I finally heard from Jamal this morning, but my heart breaks as he continues to fight for survival in the hell on earth that "Israel" & the US create, day after day. Here's what he wants to share with y'all today:

"Now there is an evacuation in new areas in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, including the Al-Sha'af, Al-Sahaba, and Al-Tuffah neighborhoods, and other dangerous areas.

One of the families asked me to evacuate them from the Shuja'iyya neighborhood to the Al-Nuseirat area in the southern Gaza Strip, and to find a place to shelter them. I did so without hesitation and offered them a helping hand in light of the significant increase in prices. All transportation costs were paid, along with a place for them.

There are cases that I cannot document due to the poor conditions we are experiencing, including bombing, destruction, and insane killing. Your continued support inspires us to double our efforts on the ground. Thank you.

X

"

Even with his own large family to support, Jamal continues to share what you all provide, with others. He sets a beautiful example for us all, especially as recession looms here in the West. Thank you for your continued support, humanity, and belief in Palestinian freedom. You are keeping Jamal and his people alive with these donations, shares, and outspokenness about Palestine, no two ways about it.

All my love, and with love from Jamal too,
Kati

Free Palestine!

Hello beloved donors,

Kati here. Jamal's kindness and commitment to his community, even when ill and living in a tent with his entire family, continue to awe me. Between a raffle we ran on Instagram + recent donations here, Jamal was able to raise funds to distribute food to FIFTY families in the midst of this terrible famine and genocide. This is money he could've kept to himself, but that isn't Jamal; Jamal's support the whole of the Palestinian people over his own individual comfort is something we should all aspire to. Please find his words below, and some photos attached. We are forever grateful for those who continue to support Jamal and Palestine's goodness in the face of this global evil.

"As I promised you, friends, despite the great famine we are experiencing and the crazy rise in prices, we have succeeded in securing some food supplies thanks to the loyal individuals and artists who donated to us from their own money. 50 food supplies of fresh rice were provided and distributed to displaced families. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to do this through the project, called "FOOD NOT BOMBS" (note from Kati - Jamal loved the name of the US org Food Not Bombs when I shared with him, and wanted to name his initiative after them-- we encourage you to check out your local Food Not Bombs chapter! )

"We were planning to distribute vegetables, but we were unable to do so due to the great scarcity in their availability. In order for this charitable work to continue, do not hesitate to contribute and support us. Every dollar is appreciated and respected. We also need new donors and contributors to intensify our charitable work on the ground.

"Comment, share this video, and share our interest and the great effort we are doing. Talk to your friends, individuals, family, and small and large companies. They may be interested in contributing. Remember, before you donate to us, you are saving innocent lives. Your support and humanity are the difference between life and death. We have many events planned for the coming days. You are the only thing keeping us alive now. Inspire us with your humanity"

Thank you with all of our hearts.

Hello, beloved donors. Kati here. Whether you made it to this page via one of the ongoing tattoo raffles (thank you to all FOUR- !!- of the beautiful Chicago tattoo artists running raffles right now) or via other means, Jamal and I are so grateful. I was able to send him a solid sum a few days ago, and will be able to send more this week. Money transfer fees and food costs remain wildly high, and your efforts are keeping Jamal, his family, and his community going in the face of escalating violence and famine. You give us hope during a very upsetting week.

Jamal's latest message to you, sent just this morning (& new photos of his community food distribution efforts attached):

"We continue our charitable and humanitarian work on the ground at a time when famine is rampant in our bodies.

These young children are all suffering from starvation and their stomachs are empty.

The Israeli occupation is trying in every way to cut off our food supplies, but despite the significant increase in food prices, we say we will not and have not given up. We will do everything in our power to bring hope to our besieged people.

Comment, share, and talk about us anywhere possible. Those who might be interested in contributing with us might be interested in contributing with us.

Prove your presence with us in the way that suits you.

Everyone has something to offer. How can you contribute to us? Your standing with us makes a difference, so don't leave us alone.

Make sure to like, share, and comment to promote our presence."

Free Palestine. Sing it from the rooftops. Continue to get involved in stopping this genocide in whatever way your unique gifts allow. Thank you with all our hearts.

Just in from Jamal!

"In light of the widespread famine and the significant rise in prices, we were able to launch a new initiative to try to spread hope and alleviate the suffering of our besieged people.

"The FOOD NOT BOMBS project and organization is the main artery of relief for dozens of displaced families. Today, we were able to distribute 30 meals to our struggling community.

"We hope to expand this project on a wide scale by sharing, commenting, publishing, promoting, and speaking out anywhere, whether at celebrations or protests or through local, small, and large shops and companies. This will help

"We need new donors and contributors to strengthen our presence and intensify our work in the field to alleviate our suffering. If you have enough time to set up your own lottery (drawing), help start everything for us. I hope to see more tattoo artists and FOOD NOT BOMBS artists share this with our project and organization. This will help us and strengthen our resilience for dozens, even hundreds of people who benefit from it.

"You are the main artery, the hope we cling to. Please stay by our side in this difficult time and do not abandon us. Every dollar you give makes a difference. Remember before you contribute that you are saving innocent lives. We have the right to live in peace. Like you, prove your humanity with this. Thank you"

PS from Kati: if you are coordinating a raffle, etc., you can direct funds here to GoFundMe or work with me to send $ direct to Jamal via me- we have figured out a good system for crypto transfer in USDT that has lower fees than wires, etc. Please don't hesitate to reach out to [email redacted] if interested.

Hello beloved humans on the right side of history. Kati here. New update from Jamal below. Please keep him in your thoughts. He is doing this vital humanitarian work made possible by your donations while living in extreme danger, and while being ill, sleeping in a cold tent with his family (or trying to sleep...drone/bomb noise makes it very hard), and having lost 5 relatives this week, 4 of them children. Every day I wake up & see he's still with us I breathe a huge sigh of relief. Please keep donating, sharing, and talking about Palestine. Now from Jamal:

"Thank you, Chicago State, for your generous support✌️. Basic food supplies were distributed as required by our situation. We have a Food, Not Bombs project. We repeated the same initiative by distributing fresh rice to 62 displaced families. Despite the killing, bombing, and genocide, we succeeded in doing so. Our mission is to serve displaced families with urgent relief. This charitable work can only continue through your continued donations. The crossings are still closed, and the war has not stopped yet. We are united for Gaza. We want to continue our humanitarian compassion to have a real impact through your national contributions to us in order to save innocent lives. We have the right to live in peace. Everyone can provide assistance. How can you help in the way that suits you? Note: We were unable to film the event due to a security incident in northern Gaza and the dangerous situation in the area, with bombing and martyrs. It was very difficult to film the initiative and the great efforts we are making deserve appreciation

"Note: We have noticed from some friends and artists that their raffles and lotteries are the best way to collect donations for us and for the food project, not bombs. As Jamal, I prefer this option and I ask all friends and artists who can do this for a just cause and a national project, do not hesitate to do so. If you cannot, comment. Participate with small and large companies. Talk about us in the way you wish, and with those who might be interested with us to feed a hungry child. Remember, before you contribute with us, that we have the right to live like you, so do not abandon us and always stay by our side, my friends. You are our only hope, and we trust in your humanity. "

Thank you all. If you'd like to run your own raffle etc, I'm happy to help ensure funds get to Jamal! Get in touch at [email redacted].

What should be a time of warmth and family in Gaza, the Eid holiday, is no more.

Per Jamal: "Now there is a holiday in Gaza, but there is nothing but sadness, pain, killing, and bombing. Unfortunately, before the war, these were the most beautiful days, but unfortunately..."

I encourage you to honor Eid by doing what you can to make it more survivable for the people of Gaza, whether via GFM donation, working with friends to setup a r^ffle or $ collection, printing out a poster about Jamal to hang at work with a QR code to send funds, etc.

Just this morning from Jamal:

"Exactly three hours ago, a residential area near the camp where I live was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 30 people and 50 injuries. Oh God, the sound was insanely terrifying. The bombing was in the Al-Sabra neighborhood, very close to us. Every family fell to the ground from the intensity of the bombing. We miraculously escaped death."

I will spare you the recording and photo and gruesome detail. It is ghastly. Please do whatever is within your power to end this holocaust. Donate, hunger strike, support the Freedom Flotilla Madleen, never stop talking about Palestine, get in the way of weapons suppliers, do whatever you can...

Hello friends, Kati here. I hope you are hanging in there. This past week was frightening with the internet outages in Gaza, plus all the awful massacres happening at the fake "aid distribution" centers and elsewhere in Gaza. I was so relieved to hear from Jamal when the internet was finally available, but heartbroken to learn he lost family in a recent bombing. He continues to witness horrifying violence and starvation in his day-to-day.

Once the internet was somewhat reliable again, I was finally able to transfer this most recent batch of GFM & artist r*ffl* entry $ his way, nearly $3000 (before fees-- sadly about 30% goes to a broker), which he distributed in cash to his neighbors. Even in the face of everything, he keeps pressing forward and caring for his people. Never fails to astound me. I am privileged to call him friend.

Here is the latest in Jamal's own words:

Thanks to your donations, my friends, we were able to distribute cash to dozens of displaced families from the Shuja'iyya neighborhood in the Tal al-Hawa area in northern Gaza.

But the need is still urgent and greatly needed. Your support is what makes the difference. Thank you to everyone who helped us in trying to alleviate our suffering.

The Israeli occupation is still
present, and therefore the conflict is still present, imposing its control over us through killing, bombing, and starvation. Up until this moment, the crossings are closed, but we tell you that we will continue with the Food Not Bombs project with all our strength to provide relief, urgent relief to our large and national community. so Thank you, my friends, for your great trust in us.

We repeat what we say only for the sake of reminders. Every time we receive money from donations, we lose 30% to 35% in order to obtain cash due to the lack of banks at the present time. We are dealing with people, not banks. This means that your contribution and cooperation are important, no matter how important, and they help in creating humanity.

Every moment I am exposed to being killed, but I will continue in what I am until the last moment of my life & Showers of hope for our people must exist thanks to your cooperation with us.

We have noticed from some artists and friends that their raffles or lotteries are a very successful way to collect donations for us at the local Food and Not Bombs organization, as happened today with the cash distribution initiative. Now we ask you, and I humbly encourage you, whoever loves and is able to hold your own raffle in support of a just cause suffering from hunger and poverty, and wants to have a positive impact on it. Do not hesitate to do so, as this will help us intensify our inspiring efforts on the ground in northern Gaza.
Anyone who can collect donations
in their preferred way is welcome. Your support and cooperation will not only help us secure basic needs, but will also strengthen our belief in the mercy of humanity.

We plan to do more, stay tuned, friends.

Thank you all.

Hi all,

A new update from Jamal for you re: your donations, which we remain endlessly grateful for. This is truly the only lifeline for Jamal, his family, and his neighbors. Thank you. In my beautiful friend's words:

"We have distributed cash to 29 families for the second time in a row

This is thanks to your generous donations to the Food Not Bombs organization. We will continue this giving, as I promised you, until the last moment of my life

But the need is still urgent and greatly needed. Your support is what makes the difference. Thank you to everyone who contributed with us in trying to alleviate our suffering

The Israeli occupation is still present, and therefore the conflict is still present, imposing its control over us through killing, bombing, and starvation. Up until this moment, the crossings are closed, but we tell you that we will continue with the Food Not Bombs organization project with all our strength to provide urgent relief to our large and national community

Thank you, friends, for your great trust in us. We repeat what we say only for the sake of reminders. Every time we receive money from donations, we lose 30% to 35% in order to obtain cash due to the lack of banks at the present time. We deal with people, not banks. This means that your contribution and cooperation are important, no matter how important, and they help in creating humanity

Hunger piracy exists in the midst of rampant injustice.

There is nothing beyond life but life. And there is nothing beyond reality but reality

The landmarks of peace have disintegrated. Israel has no values, but has disintegrated.
They do not have the values of humanity, but they are a symbol of falsehood and injustice.

Comment, share, talk about us through promotion in order to strengthen our existence.

Your support and cooperation will not only help us secure life and essential basic needs, but it will also make our belief in the mercy of humanity happy ✌️

This is the people's voice, and the story has a lesson.

Your support means a lot to me, to us, and to humanity in general. Your donation will not be wasted, but it will save innocent lives. May God bless you "

Hi all! Kati here. Thank you so much to those of you who have reached out worried about Jamal's disappearance from Instagram. Please see my post below, copy/pasted from my own IG account. I let Jamal know a number of you asked after him, and he was very moved. Please amplify his new page however possible! And remember, even $1 donation helps. I love you all with all my heart.

https://www.instagram.com/jamal_fromgaza

From my own Insta:

"hello dear friends of jamal & of gemmy! kati (@gemmycharmedlife) here, writing to let you know that meta shut down jamal's instagram (probably to suppress his documentation of the genocide). jamal is now forced to start from scratch with a new page (@jamal_fromgaza) & the lack of content/history/followers makes it more difficult to build trust with potential donors. can you please follow + share to help him rebuild?

he uses this platform for the good of his community as a part of his "food not bombs" (north gaza) mutual aid efforts, some of which you can see in the photos here. please please help him build back up his platform's appearance of legitimacy so he can return to his life-saving work.

it is not lost on me that not only do these murderous empires displace the people of palestine on their own land, but digitally too. i cannot imagine having to bear the weight of constant displacement coming from every direction.

jamal, we are here for you as you rebuild (yet again). we see you. in the short time jamal's page was gone, i got so many messsages asking after his safety. you are loved and cared for deeply, friend.

please send encouraging messages in the comments! and share share share. thank you all so much!"

Hello friends! It's Kati. Thank you so much for all who have followed Jamal's new Instagram account (@jamal_fromgaza) & continued to share, and for everyone who continues to send $, especially with budgets tightening up so much here in the US.

On Thursday, Jamal received a disbursement of $2436.30 and immediately got to work securing and distributing food to his community. Unfortunately, because Jamal has to secure the funds via individual brokers due to the lack of banks, each sum we send sees a whopping 43% fee skimmed off the top :(

With his remaining funds though, Jamal was able to buy two large bags of flour-- 50 kilos worth-- to be shared amongst 35 families, many of whom haven't tasted bread since the blockade began. Knowing what is happening in the south at the truly abhorrent "aid" (murder) centers, where flour bags have been found to be laced with addictive opioids, Jamal was careful to examine bags before distributing. Read more about his efforts in his own words:

"Today was very happy.❤️

A new update and a new achievement added to the organization and project

Food, Not Bombs

We were finally able to secure two bags of flour, each weighing 25 kilos, meaning 50 kilos, brought from the Rashid Street corridor in the west of the country. ❤️

It is to be divided and distributed to more than 35 families here in the north of the country, trying to give them hope.

Many have not tasted bread since the siege and starvation went into effect months ago, and the joy when we surprised them with this event was indescribable.❤️❤️

You saw our despair and hunger from afar, and the escalation of the horrific daily massacres in the occupation and at the American aid distribution sites.

These things have not changed for the majority of Gaza's citizens...

But today, thanks to your amazing influx of new donations, we were able to save many displaced families in the north of the country.

Joy has become rare for most here, but these moments of hope are indescribable.

The support keeps us strong.

Our gratitude is endless

Let's continue, my friends. Wait for us to do more development projects in the coming days. Help us do this with goodness

A small note. We have noticed in the recent period that teams of artists have offered a lot of support for us. If you are an artist who can offer a drawing or similar, please do not hesitate to do so, because that saves innocent souls that save them from death, thanks

Your support for us, no matter how, is a difference in my life "