A former graduate student from Western Michigan University (WMU), who completed his studies in the WMU College of Education and the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, sustained injuries in Gaza.

On October 18th, Abedalazeez Abushaban and his family's home in Gaza City were struck by IDF shelling. Despite heeding IDF warnings and attempting to find refuge, the family found shelters over capacity, forcing them back to their home for shelter.

The shelling resulted in severe injuries: Abedalazeez, who is blind, suffered a severely mangled arm. His 8-year-old daughter, Jihan, sustained serious bone and skin damage, necessitating grafts for her leg and arm. His 18-year-old son, Yousof, born in Kalamazoo during Abedalazeez's studies, has numerous shrapnel injuries needing surgical removal, along with shattered hand and wrist bones requiring reconstruction. When asked about his wife, Umm Yousof/Jamila, Abedalazeez broke down, explaining that while she was less severely hurt, their 14-year-old daughter, Joud, who was embracing her mother during the shelling, bore the brunt of the impact, sustaining life-threatening injuries.

After a two-hour wait for an ambulance amid a military blackout, their neighbor, a physician, struggled to provide aid. Upon the ambulance's arrival, the paramedics declared Joud shaheed. They explained their delayed response was due to Israel's targeting of ambulances that night.

The family, having received initial stabilizing care, traveled to Egypt. Jihan requires specialized care in the U.S., and given Yousof's American citizenship and Abedalazeez's past residency and master's degree from WMU, the family was able to secure visas for medical treatment in the U.S. This campaign will raise funds to help ease the heavy burden of medical expenses on Abedalazeez and his family.

Medical Support for WMU Alum and Family

By KNOW Your Humanity

Medical Support for WMU Alum and Family

Help ease the burden of medical expenses for a WMU graduate injured in Gaza.

Team Members