The ongoing conflict in the northern Gaza Strip has left a Sierra Leonean-Palestinian family in a dire situation, prompting them to seek urgent evacuation after enduring over 90 days of harrowing conditions at the Rafah Border Crossing. The family, holding dual citizenship from Palestine and Sierra Leone, found themselves caught in the crossfire as the conflict erupted. They quickly sought assistance from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Egypt, which, in turn, collaborated with international rescue organizations to facilitate their evacuation.

However, upon reaching Rafah, their situation became precarious as Israel continued its daily airstrikes and shelling. The family, consisting of Aiman Al-Baraawi, the head of the family, and his children, now reside in a cramped temporary shelter along with over 200 people anxiously awaiting evacuation. Al-Baraawi expressed the distressing circumstances they face, stating, "My family and I, my children, everyone, we sleep with our passports on us every day so that even if we lose our lives at night, whoever finds our remains will know who we are."

The situation in Gaza has been further complicated by repeated threats of large-scale ground military operations. As international efforts continue to address the complex evacuation logistics amid the conflict, the Sierra Leonean-Palestinian family remains in a precarious situation, desperately yearning for a safe return home.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, the family remains resilient. Al-Baraawi emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and unity, stating, "It is a complete tragedy here. We can smell corpses in many places we reach. It is impossible to live. It will take too much to rebuild this place. People have decided to leave."

As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, the Sierra Leonean-Palestinian family's plea for urgent evacuation serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of war and the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.