Maricopa Woman Forms Unexpected Friendship with Family Amid Gaza Conflict

Desert Passage resident Toni Pruette has shared her connection with a family affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting the universal struggles faced by individuals in crisis.

Pruette met Mohammed Al-Ghalayini, 23, through Instagram, emphasizing how they found common ground despite being worlds apart. “We have so much more in common than we realize,” she remarked.

Their journey began when Pruette discovered Moataz, Mohammed’s younger brother, a passionate skateboarder in Gaza, on social media. “I follow a lot of skateboarding culture online, so it was natural for him to cross my feed,” she explained.

After sharing Moataz’s GoFundMe campaign, he reached out to express gratitude, marking the start of a daily exchange that deepened their friendship. As an activist in the biotech sector, Pruette learned about Al-Ghalayini’s family of nine.

Forming a connection with Mohammed, Pruette described the family as genuine and kind. Yet, the situation has turned dire since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. Mohammed and his father have been forced to live apart from the rest of their family, including his youngest brother.

Separated from his family, Al-Ghalayini initiated his own GoFundMe campaign to secure basic necessities, as ongoing blockades hinder access to food and aid. “The need is pressing,” Pruette noted.

Before the outbreak of war, Al-Ghalayini was an aspiring bodybuilder and business student with dreams of traveling, especially to Spain—a nickname he earned, known fondly as “Spanish” among his peers in Gaza.

“I lost my home at the beginning of the war after it was bombed. I was forced to flee several times seeking safety,” Al-Ghalayini stated, emphasizing the harsh realities faced daily. “Unfortunately, there is no safe place here.”

The conflict forced Al-Ghalayini to abandon his university studies; however, Pruette’s GoFundMe efforts have provided much-needed assistance, allowing him to resume his education.

“With the generous donations, we’ve helped Mohammed re-register for online courses,” Pruette added. “He was incredibly overjoyed, a privilege many in America take for granted.”