“All I Need Is One Semester”: A Gaza Nursing Student’s Fight to Keep His Family Alive

Omar Al-Maghribi is weeks away from finishing his degree. However, instead of preparing for graduation, the 22-year-old spends his days calculating whether he can afford food, medicine, and university fees at the same time.

Residing in the Gaza Strip, he is in his fourth year of nursing and has just one semester left to fulfill his dream of graduating and becoming a nurse.

Omar is the sole provider for his family. 

His older sister died years ago from cystic fibrosis. His two younger sisters suffer from the same genetic disease and require daily treatment that is increasingly difficult to obtain in Gaza. His father, who has chronic acid reflux, is often unable to work.

“I am the sole breadwinner for my family, burdened by war and disease,” Omar spoke to AMT. “I provide them with food and clothing, and I can’t afford all of that on my own.”

Although a ceasefire reduced large-scale fighting in October, humanitarian agencies say living conditions for most civilians remain critical, with shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter persisting across the territory.

One Semester From Graduation in a Broken System

Omar is studying nursing at Al-Aqsa University, where regular in-person classes were disrupted after campuses were damaged. 

Students are continuing their education through e-learning, a system widely adopted as movement remains restricted and access to university facilities is limited.

“Power cuts, unstable internet access, and overcrowded living conditions make studying difficult. Paying tuition has become even harder,” Omar said.

According to the UN, Gaza’s economy has been largely dismantled. 

Unemployment remains widespread, particularly among young people, and many households depend entirely on humanitarian aid. 

Cash income is limited, prices for basic goods remain high, and informal work has all but disappeared.

Health care, the field Omar hopes to enter, has been especially affected.

Many hospitals and clinics operate at reduced capacity due to damage, staff shortages and lack of medical supplies. 

Chronic illnesses, including cystic fibrosis, are difficult to manage in a system struggling to meet even emergency needs.

Omar says his decision to become a nurse was shaped by accompanying his late sister to hospitals as a child. Now, with two younger sisters needing ongoing care, that motivation has only intensified.

“All I need now is a chance to complete my final semester,” he shared. “I am reaching out to the people, whether through a donation or by sharing my story, hoping it could mean the difference between my success or my dreams being shattered.”

Winter, Aid Shortfalls and Daily Survival in Gaza

Winter has added another layer of strain. 

Cold temperatures, heavy rains, and flooding have worsened conditions for families living in damaged homes or makeshift shelters. 

Aid agencies have reported shortages of blankets, bedding, and heating fuel, which in turn is leading to an increase in the risk of illness, particularly for children and those with chronic conditions.

“Here in Gaza, we don’t have anything to provide these necessities. I feel embarrassed to ask for help, but the circumstances have forced me,” Omar added.

Despite increased aid deliveries since the ceasefire, the UN estimates that more than three-quarters of Gaza’s population continues to face acute food insecurity. 

Malnutrition remains a concern, especially among children, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions.

Omar’s days are split between coursework, caregiving, and searching for ways to keep his family afloat. Each expense forces a choice: medicine or tuition, food or heating, today’s survival or tomorrow’s future.

“Help me continue on this path,” he said. “For my sisters, for my family, and for every patient waiting for a caring hand.”

Those who wish to support Omar and his family can contribute to this GoFundMe page to help him complete his nursing degree and provide for his family in Gaza.