Regina woman from Gaza worries about family members

A Regina woman is heartbroken over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Asmaa Olwan is from Gaza and although she lives in Regina with her husband and children, most of her family still lives in Gaza.

“I don’t know where they are now,” she said. “They evacuated from their houses there and I hope that they are OK — all of them.”

Olwan said her family members don’t have a place to shelter.

Israel has launched a massive bombing campaign against Gaza. It has killed at least 4,200 people while displacing more than one million, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Last week, Israel has announced a “total” siege of Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas attack on southern Israel. That resulted in Israel cutting off Gaza’s electricity.

“I cannot have any way to communicate with (my family members). I’m just waiting,” Olwan said.

Olwan has been able to visit her family in Gaza before, but said it’s exceedingly difficult for them to visit Canada as Gaza has been placed under a blockade by Israel since 2007.

“It’s hard to bring them here or (for them to) get out,” she said. “Actually, they are trapped there. The border is closed and there is no way to go anywhere.”

Israel and Egypt control border crossings to and from the Gaza Strip.

“(There’s) no electricity, no source of water (and) no access to any medical aid,” Olwan said.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of more than 20 hospitals in Gaza amid its airstrike campaign.

“Even hospitals, which is against international human rights, they bombed the hospitals as well,” Olwan said.

Olwan said she wants the Canadian government to put more pressure on the Israeli government to stop the war.

“We don’t want more people to suffer and to die,” she said.

In addition to that, Olwan said she would like people to learn about the history of the conflict.

“The people of Gaza, they have been suffering for decades from the operation and the massive wars that happened in 2008, 2012 and another three wars before that,” Olwan said.

Olwan said her heart breaks when she sees and hears of the deaths of children. So far, reports say, more than 1,000 have been killed as of the 11th day of Israeli airstrikes.

“We feel useless, like we can’t do anything to help,” Olwan said.

Some Canadian officials, Members of Parliament and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have voiced support for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, but it is unclear how exactly it will be facilitated.

“My children, they are scared,” she said. “(They ask) ‘How is our cousin doing?’ And I say just to pray for their safety. This is what we can do now and hopefully the government will do something.”