Dorgham Abusalim lives in D.C. but much of his Palestinian family still lives in Gaza. They live in a small town 30 minutes from the strip.
He last spoke to them on Tuesday.
“It’s been extremely difficult, stressful," Abusalim said. "It’s just a feeling you can’t shake off. Constantly on the edge. Trying to stay in touch, making sure they are safe.”
Abusalim's mother is blind and his father is paralyzed. They are taking cover with his brother and sister inside their home. He fears his family will have to flee for safety at some point.
“What would that be like for my blind mother?" he asked. "Can you imagine a blind person attempting to flee a raid like that? It terrifies me and it’s something I live with 24-7. Just thinking about it constantly."
Abusalim says water is in short supply. Electricity only runs for an hour a day and their medicine supply is running low.
“My understanding from them last night is they wouldn’t have enough fuel for today or tomorrow," he said. "At some point, my family is going to be left without electricity.”
He’s asking people in the district to call their representatives and insist on de-escalating the situation.
“At the end of the day, Palestinians are made of flesh and bone," Abusalim said. "Details may be figured out later. But right now the main priority is de-escalating and sparing human life."