Palestinian-Americans speak out about family, friends killed in Israel-Hamas war
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Palestinian-Americans who have lost relatives in Gaza spoke out in Newark Tuesday morning.
The 10 families from New Jersey and other parts of the Northeast say they've had more than 1,000 relatives killed.
"Thirty-two members of my family, their house was bombed, half of them are still under the rubble," said Fawzia, a Palestinian-American.
"Israel has killed over 90 family members of mine," said Mahmoud, a Palestinian-American.
"Of the 93 members of my family who were killed by Israel, we've only been able to bury 11," Jumana said.
The impacted families were total strangers before the war started, but were brought together by CAIR - the Council on American Islamic Relations.
They started a WhatsApp group talking about the situation in the region after the October 7th attack by Hamas, and have stayed in contact as Israel continued its offensive.
They're urging the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
"Please, we want a ceasefire now in Gaza," Mahmoud said. "Please President Biden. These people are not a number. These people are human."
"The worst part of this genocide is that our President Biden can easily pick up the phone and ask Israel to stop the killing," a representative said.
The press conference was held by CAIR - the Council on American Islamic Relations.
Nearly 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Among the thousands killed, were four generations of Mohammed's family. He has had to keep track of his deceased relatives on a master list.
The United States is pushing Israel for a more targeted approach to the war, but that might not be enough for the group who is pleading for the U.S. to help save what family members they have left.
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