I Just Returned from Gaza—Here’s What We Must Do

Dear Brothers & Sisters, 

Assalam Alaikum,

I am writing this with a heavy yet hopeful heart. We the US doctors and nurses just came back from Gaza a few weeks ago and many there or on the way back.

The situation there is beyond words now. There is no more impending doom rather it is happening doom now. The hunger crisis is at its worst. Hunger is being used as weapon of death daily whether by man-made starvation (per WHO chief), by direct attacks on distribution sites or by gun and tank shootings on those going to the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites (per US Col. Anthony Aguilar who served as a security contractor for GHF in Gaza for 27 days before resigning).

Still there is almost an absolute blockade not allowing the entry of UN aid.

I came back with hope dwindling, but it is now rather heartening to see here that the tides are literally turning and history is in the making:

• Two humanitarian organizations in Israel admitted that a Genocide is happening, and this can’t be supported.
• The American Jewish Committee and the Reform Group of Israel in the US also called this indefensible.
• Around 90 members of Congress are now favoring the ceasefire.
• ⁠76% of the U.S. (likely voters) support the U.S. calling for a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of the violence in Gaza.
• On the World Stage, countries are coming out and recognizing the state of Palestine which were previously supporters of the oppressors till now.

This is the time when we need to take action and hit harder when the iron is red hot.

The horrors and crises in Gaza are man-made, driven by policies that can and must be changed. The US administration, Senate and Congress have the power to end these horrors in Gaza.

As well as our Muslim Reps in Congress, our own influencers and leaders have the obligation now to take lead and own the cause.

We’re asking you to do three things:

1. Start organizing at your city level, and bring all those organizations standing up for Palestine together.
2. Start making small groups of volunteers (10-15), each with a lead and every day showing up at the local offices of their Congress Reps, Senators and other elected officials.
   • Present to them with photos, newspaper articles of Haaretz, Washington Post, Guardian, etc and cite the horrors of starvation and Genocide.
   • Urge them to:
     • Stop the Starvation Now
     • Call for an Immediate Cease Fire Now
     • Recognize Palestinians Now
3. Request your Leaders, Influencers and Imams to go to the borders of Gaza, making an International call — demanding for the Aid Trucks of the United Nations to enter Gaza now! Loads of Trucks have been waiting for months at the border, which hold enough food to feed every Gazan for 3 months.

Together, our voices can create a chorus that cannot be ignored. Do not stay silent on the matter of human lives.

The people of Gaza are not asking for a ceasefire alone, but for the world to recognize their right to live independently without any fear of hunger, thirst and killing. Let us raise our voice for their freedom.