Wael Arafat, a 28-year-old Gaza native who now lives in Bristol, United Kingdom, was admitted to the hospital following a nearly two-month-long hunger strike in protest of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Arafat moved from Deir Al Balah when he was a little child and has lost 17 family members to the fighting. He is calling for the fight to end.
Patricia Davis-Thomas, his mother, voiced concern over his declining health, describing him as “very unwell.”
Seven days after he started the protest, Arafat called for an ambulance due to the health effects of the hunger strike.
Arafat expressed the importance of his message to BBC Arabic, saying, “I probably have a week or two before I die.” I want the world to take action to support the children, the elderly, and the young people living in Gaza.
Arafat’s 14-year-old foster mother, Patricia Davis-Thomas, emphasized his deep ties to Palestine and his pain over the suffering done to youngsters in the area. Speaking about his hunger strike, Arafat said he wouldn’t end it until the international community responds to their call and a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
Ms. Davis-Thomas emphasized the importance of people thinking about individuals in Palestine who are frantically trying to escape for their life while sharing her own worries about perhaps losing her son.
For the first time since the battle started in October, aid has reportedly reached Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to reports from Israel. The number of nations urging an end to hostilities between Israel and Gaza is rising.
The continued efforts to free the hostages held in Gaza have been brought up by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has emphasized the necessity of applying military pressure to Hamas. Egypt and Qatar are said to be involved in the talks, while Hamas demands that all aggressiveness cease in order for talks to proceed.