Gazans crowdfund thousands for uncertain escape

People hoping to leave Gaza in a widening humanitarian crisis must dodge scammers and pay huge sums.

As deadly Israeli bombardments and acute food shortages continue, and a threatened Israeli military operation in southern Gaza looms, more and more Palestinians are seeking a way out - if they can find the money for it.

Yet increasing numbers of people are trying to raise the money to flee, with the help of friends and family in the US and Europe. Among them are the Hammads, currently displaced along with more than a million others in Rafah next to the Egyptian border. Once enough money is raised, the next challenge becomes getting tens of thousands of dollars into Gaza. There are few wire services like Western Union left in the devastated territory, and the line to enter is days-long. Some people have used cryptocurrency exchanges. Others have relied on PayPal accounts registered elsewhere, as the firm doesn't provide services to people in Gaza or the occupied West Bank.

The man who provided the Hala receipt told the BBC that the names of those on the official list to enter Egypt only appear after they've been vetted by Egyptian intelligence. "It's heartbreaking to watch," says Shahd, a woman in the US state of Virginia who asked only to go by her first name. Multiple users raising money to aid people in Gaza have complained about having their accounts frozen. "People are literally trying to escape death," one New Jersey woman told the BBC. "It's just mind-blowing that every single corner we turn there's a new obstacle."

"GoFundMe has already helped deliver tens of millions of dollars to individuals and organizations supporting those in both Israel and Gaza, and we will continue to do so as quickly, securely, and safely as possible," spokesman Jalen Drummond said.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

BBCAfrica /  🏆 23. in ZA

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Netanyahu rejects Gaza ceasefire offer, pledges to defeat Hamas - SABC News'The day after is the day after Hamas. All of Hamas.'
Read more »

Pandor shocked by Germany's legal action against SA commentator over Gaza stancePandor, speaking to Eyewitness News on Thursday night, said she was aware that Malaika Mahlatsi had been served with an indictment for allegedly rewarding and awarding a crime.
Read more »

SA approaches ICJ after Israel expands military operations in Gaza to the city of RafahIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the decision last week, and on Monday the Israeli Defence Force announced the rescue of two hostages in Rafah on the back of an operation that reportedly left 74 civilians dead.
Read more »

Hulu Airs Ad Claiming Gaza Would Be A ‘Tourist Destination if Not for Hamas’ [Video]South African and global news updates with a twist. 2oceansvibe is South Africa’s biggest solely owned online news platform with local and world news updates.
Read more »

Brazil's President Accuses Israel of Genocide in GazaIsrael condemns Brazil's president after he accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, comparing its actions to the Holocaust.
Read more »

Israel Gaza: China condemns US veto of call for immediate ceasefire at UNBeijing suggests blocking calls for an immediate ceasefire gives a “green light to continued slaughter'.
Read more »