Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A man originally from Belfast has spent years trying to secure safety for his family amidst the turmoil in Gaza. Khalid El-Astal, an Irish citizen now aged 32, successfully managed to bring his two young children to Dublin after a devastating bombing in 2023 claimed the lives of his wife, mother, and brother. Although his children have found stability in Ireland, his father remains trapped in Gaza, where conditions have only worsened over time.
El-Astal’s father, Ali, is a 62-year-old university professor who once studied in Belfast during the 1990s. He now lives in dire circumstances, sharing a tent with limited food, water, and sanitation. Khalid described the situation as “just a disaster,” emphasizing the daily losses faced by his family and community. Despite holding a visa for Ireland, Ali’s ability to leave is hindered by the damage to his Palestinian passport, which was destroyed during the bombing of their family home. Attempts to obtain new travel documents and permissions have so far been unsuccessful.
Although the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has offered support throughout this ordeal, they highlighted the complexities involved in evacuations from Gaza, noting that success depends on various factors, including permissions from relevant authorities, many of which lie beyond Ireland’s control. Communication between Khalid and his father is sporadic due to limited access to mobile phone charging and basic necessities. Meanwhile, his brothers, also Irish citizens, have chosen to stay with their father rather than leave him behind.
Khalid recalls how, before the conflict escalated, he was working in Saudi Arabia and planning a move to Ireland with his wife and children. Following the tragic loss of his wife, Ashwak Jendia, his family made a perilous journey to Dublin where the children now attend school and have formed strong social connections. While grateful for the support they have received, Khalid remains deeply saddened by the absence of his wife and continues to struggle with the ongoing situation regarding his father and brothers in Gaza. Fred Rooney, a US lawyer who assisted in the initial evacuation effort, praised Khalid’s dedication in raising his children alone and supporting his family amid relentless challenges
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.