Climber Takes Gaza Kids’ Wishes to the Highest Peak
Mount EverestMon May 18 2026
A 56‑year‑old mountaineer from Jordan and Palestine is climbing Mount Everest with a kite that bears the Palestinian flag colors. The kite carries handwritten notes from children who live in Gaza, a place that has been devastated by war since October 2023. Those messages are simple yet powerful, showing the kids’ hopes for a future where they can study and build homes again.
The war has already taken more than 72, 000 lives in Gaza. Families are left without homes, schools or clean water. Many live in tents, and the situation has not improved even after a ceasefire last year. The climber met some of these children at the Rafah border when they crossed into Egypt, and he heard their stories first‑hand.
With the kite in tow, he plans to reach the summit before the next climbing season starts. He also wants to raise $10 million for a charity that supplies food, medicine and psychological help to people in Gaza. The goal is two‑fold: bring global attention to the children’s suffering and gather funds for relief.
The kite’s messages blend ambition with grief. One girl named Munira asked the climber to write “47” on it, a number that represents all the family members she lost. Other notes wish for careers as doctors or engineers, hoping to rebuild a shattered future.
The climber’s own life reflects perseverance. Born in Kuwait and raised in a refugee camp, he once worked at a hotel in Edinburgh. A dream of standing on Everest’s peak and reciting the Islamic call to prayer sparked his mountaineering journey. After several attempts, he finally reached Everest in 2008 and has since climbed the world’s highest peaks on every continent, earning a title known as the Explorer’s Grand Slam.
He has used his climbs to raise money for causes such as Syria, blind children and cancer patients. The war in Gaza reignited his drive to help those who share his heritage. He believes that a strong belief in a cause can push people to do extraordinary things.
Beyond the mountain, he hopes for a day when Palestine is free and its people can travel safely. The climb is not just about reaching a peak; it is a statement that the world should listen to those whose voices are silenced by conflict.
